K^Tl 







I'liKSKNTKD m 




John D. Paddock 



A BRIEF HISTORY 

Of 

MALVERN 



By 



JOHN D. PADDOCK 



Published by 

THE MALVERN liEADER 

Malvern, Iowa. 

1917 






'Vnttior 
JUN 5 m» 



PREFACE 

At the suggestion of Mrs. Ruth Roberts, the librarian, we have arrang- 
ed and prepared these records. We ask the readers' pardon for errors 
that have been made and the omission perhaps of many bright threads 
that have not beon caught up and woven into the pattern. Our escapades 
and wrong doings have been left out in making up this narrative of events. 

Thanks are due The Leader plant for access to records and to the work- 
ing fore: for their kindly assistance. 

THE WRITER. 



2 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

* * L4 ISTORY has been defined as a narrative of connected events with 

J * which man has had to do." Therefore every home and every person 
therein becomes an integral part in the history of village, city, county, 
state or nation. 

The writer will endeavor to give a narrative of events connected with 
the first inception of the village of Milton, and the part in history that it 
may have taken by the association of the people together in their home 
life, and in their business vocations in the village life. 

To introduce the subject the writer will have to be somewhat personal 
until he can lose himself in his association with others who will take part. 

The continuation of the Burlington and Missouri River railroad as it was 
then called in 186 8 and '69, west from Ottumwa, Iowa, across the State, 
attracted the attention cf the people of adjoining states and farther east, 
especially the young folks just scattering out from the parental roof to 
make for themselves a heme cither upon the Iowa prairies or in the towns 
that would be built along the line. Railroad surveys were made, grades 
were established and work for preparation of the read bed was pushed 
with great vigor. 

Town sites were platted and a heavy emigration set in. New settlers' 
homes soon dotted the prairies clear across the state. Villages sprung up 
as if by magic. The few towns already established took on new life for 
business and trading points for new comers and for those who had come 
ahead and pionesred. The nearness of the western counties of the state 
to the Missouri River, a navigable stream that furnished although slow 
and uncertain, a means of communication with the east and south, the 
steamborits plying its waters had been bringing supplies for the needs of 
life and travelers and home seekers as well. This western section of the 
state was on the line of the Mormon trail also in their exodus from Nau- 
voo, Illinois, to Utah in 1846 and 1848, and was chosen by them as a 
stopping place for rest and to recuperate for the long journey ahead of 
them, to their promised land. When they moved on as nearly all did, 
their temporary homes and claims became the permanent homes of the 
early settlers. From these conditions there were many here when the 
railroad was completed, of thrifty, well-to-do farmers and stockmen, 
ready for the road to bring to them the manufactured products for a 
more comfortable living, and take to the eastern markets their stock and 
grain, while vast stretches of the inland prairies of the state were stiil 
untouched and unclaimed. We who came with the railroads were not 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 3 

the real pioneers, but those who had staked their claims for a home here, 
some years before our coming. 

The writer, then a resident of Chicago became quite interested in a 
friend's description of this part of the state, as a land of great promise, 
and in June 1869, in company with his father came from Chicago to Bur- 
lington, Iowa, and out to Ottumwa, then on the newly constructed line 
completed as far as Cromwell Station, west of tho now city of Creston, 
neither of these places having scarcely the sta,rt of a town, prairie grass 
yet growing in the street, in front of the little hotel and the lone country 
store at Cromwell. 

From this point west to Red Oak, by the old time stage coach and four 
horses. Red Oak was the objective point when starting on our journey, 
and we were now in that land of promise, that had been pictured out by 
the friend. His description did not seem to be overdrawn, as we looked 
over the village, out on the prairies, and up and down the valley of the 
East Nishnabotna that bright summer morning. 

Red Oak was then a thriving little town, on the stage coach line of 
travel from the east to Council Bluffs and a distributing point of supplies 
for the settlers far up and down the valley. 

For further investigation we decided to go over to the west Nishna, but 
being too late for the stage that day we accepted an invitation to ride out 
over the prairies to White Cloud with Mr. I. L. McCoy, a well known stock 
buyer, living a few miles down the valley. White Cloud was at that time 
quite a little village, nicely located on the higher bank of the stream with- 
in hearing of the rushing waters as they tumbled over the dam at the 
mill. There were two general stores, Drug Store. Post office, a place to 
eat and sleep, a Blacksmith shop and a skilled physician. Dr. Brothers. No 
saloon — which spoke well in those days — for the good citizenship of the 
village and country round about. 

Mr. George Hamaker the genial miller, had the toll of the bread eaters, 
a day's journey in all directions, who would bring their grist and picnic 
in the shade or fish while waiting for it. 

It was a tragedy play, that the trail of the iron horse did not take the 
route that led to the village, but it did not and the rails since laid, have 
been the magnet that has drawn it all away but the mill. 

Citizens and business have been largely absorbed, and have been a good 
part in the making of Malvern history. 

It was the middle of the afternoon of a bright June day, when we left 
White Cloud for a walk to the home of Judge Tubbs. We took a short 
cut across the prairie, from the Wm. Weaver farm home, up the hill near 
where Mr. Sant Stone's house now is. 

We sat down to rest a bit, and as we sat there we took in the lovely 



4 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

landscape view of the valley of the Nishna as it spread out before us; 
with the green grass and wild prairie flowers, at our feet, and in the 
distance the checkered fields of growing corn, the waving tracts of grass 
and grain and the meandering course of the wooded stream. 

To the writer, just from the counting desk of a wholesale house, and 
the hot paved walks and streets of the city it was a refreshing change. 

We continued our tramp from this picture gallery, across and by the 
pioneer home of H. H. Woodrow down the hill and across the branch on 
a low water bridge, coming up over the ridge where Grand View addition 
has lately been platted and enjoyed for the night the generous hospitality 
of the Tubbs home. 

After a talk with Mr. Tubbs, our decision was made to locate here, ai>d 
my father returned to his home the next day. 

The town site was already platted and named Milton, in honor of Lieut. 
Milton Summers who had died from wounds received on a southern battle 
field a few years before. 

While waiting to complete arrangements with my brother in the north 
eastern part of the state, we thought we would like to practice up a little 
on our old occupation as a farmer lad. In our search for a job we had 
an interview with Mr. H. W. Summers. He took note of our untanned 
face and soft hands, from continuous office work, and sized us up that we 
might do for some easy task and he placed us under Mrs. Summers di- 
rections. We fixed up the yard and garden, and soon got the badge of a 
new out door worker in calloused hands, and sun baked face, neck and 
ears, and when we returned to Chicago, a new cuticle was coming on and 
the old one peeling off. , It was the cost of our initiation fee to out door 
work in Iowa on hot summer days. Some pleasant and lifelong friend- 
ships and acquaintance formed during those days, besides the monetary 
consideration, healed all the wounds. 

One July morning in 1869, in front of an Illinois farm home near Chi- 
cago, stood an "emigrant puUman" with bent bows and canvas covered 
top and sides, loaded with the needed outfit for camping travelers. The 
restless horses waiting for the driver and his partner to climb in for their 
wedding trip five hundred miles to the farther west. Across Illinois and 
over the Mississippi river at Sabula, Iowa, for a visit with the writer's 
brother at Massilon. Through Mechanicsville, Cedar Rapids, Marengo, 
Newton, Des Moines and Winterset, the evening of August 6th, we were 
at Sciola, Montgomery County, passing the night at a farm house hotel. 
Early next morning we were on the road for the last lap of our journey. 
We came through Red Oak out on the stage line road following the di- 
vides over the prairies, and only passed three homes in our travel between 
the two Nishnas. It was total eclipse of the sun that day, August 7th, and 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 5 

the darkness of early twilight settled over us, in the quiet of our lonely 
travel, but it was not long until we were again for a while in the bright 
sunshine, until the darkness of a starry evening had settled down upon 
the close of another day as we came up the road by the cemetery, and 
down the hill (steeper and longer then than now) across the stream, and 
under the wide spreading branches of an elm tree that stood in the road- 
way in front of where D. E. Whitfield's fine home now stands. 

This was our camping place for the night. After the faithful horses had 
been fed and some refreshments ourselves we sought our slumber couch 
under its canopy covering, and the friendly branches of the old elm tree. 
It was a good season for mosquitoes and our rest was troubled by their 
weird music and the loving greetings they gave us, showed plainly 
In the morning. 

It was in the early light of a bright sabbath morning that we built our 
campfire and cooked and ate our first morning meal, as prospective res- 
idents of Iowa. When the wreck of the morning meal had been cleared 
away, the partner wanted to take a look at the town site and the probable 
location of our future home. We walked up the road away, climbed the 
fence looking west, and in imagination saw it looming up somewhere out 
in the vast field of weeds as high as our hats. 

The writer continued the walk up to Mr. Tubbs place for some mail, 
and in the afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Tubbs and baby Volney drove down to 
make us a friendly call and extend us a welcome to Iowa, and in the 
spirit of western hospitality they invited us to make our home with them 
until we could make other arrangements. We accepted their kind invi- 
tation and during our few days stay at their home, other lasting friend- 
ships were made that have been a pleasure to us all these years since. 

The lumber and material for our business house and home had been 
purchased in Chicago before starting on our overland journey, and was 
shipped over the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, that being the only 
line then completed across the state, and from Council Bluffs over the 
St. Joe line to Pacific City, a little village nestling close up against the 
bluffs west of Glenwood, where the track of the St. Joe then laid. (This 
little business place started in 1857 had been in the hands of promoters, 
a rival of Council Bluffs as the terminal of railroads, and the connecting 
link in the chain that was to bind the east to the far west by the steel 
rails of the Union Pacific). 

We found our building material at Pacific City and the first load was 
hauled over August 9th, for the erection of a temporary shelter home 
which was put up near our first night's camping place, so we might be 
near a neighbor, a Mr. Merritt and family who were temporary occupants 



6 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVICRN ' 

of a little home across the creek, and to be ne;ir an excellent well of water 
that was at their kitchen door. 

Storage room being limited, the agent at Pacific City had placed the 
large sash for the store front against the outside of the building, and in 
the explorations of an old cow, she got her head through one of the un- 
glazed sash, and not being able to withdraw it, she got excited, and with 
head and tail up she lit out over the prairie bottom, like a small whirl- 
wind with the sash flopping about her neck, the railroad force and the 
writer in hot pursuit. After quite a chase, we gathered up the remnants, 
but the cow was yet running. 

The original plat of Milton was all west of first avenue, which was then 
a country read, and east of this country road where the business houses, 
homes, Churches, school building end forest of trees now are, was that 
season a waving field of wheat, ready for the harvesters. 

Washington Darling, a near-by farmer was one of the contractors for 
the grading of this section of the road bed and his work was about com- 
pleted. The site for location of the depot had been staked out. The 
season has been quite wet and the platted ground having been mostly 
under cultivation the year before had grown up to weeds, that held back 
the drainage and not many lots seemed to be desirable for building on. 
A higher point from which the "waters had fibated" on the west side of 
fourth avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets was staked out for the first 
building of the new city. 

An Illinois friend, a Mr. Abbott, came out to take a look at Iowa and 
to put up the buildings. Mr. Abbott and nophew Pete and John Busby, 
of White Cloud, as his helpers, completed the building (20 x 30, 1^ 
stories) in October, 1869. 

It is yet in good condition and a pleasant home place on first avenue. 

The first attempt by neighbors to be social with new comers by a friend- 
ly call was a failure as the horse and buggy got fast in the mud in a wet 
springy place in the road in front of where the Catholic Church now 
stands. The ladies were equal to any emergency. One undressed her feet, 
got out, unhitched the horse and gave up being social that day by return- 
ing home. 

November 13th, Charles H. Paddock, who had come on about a month 
before to take hold of his interests in the town and the business of Pad- 
dock Bros., hitched up Tom and Jim, our dumb partners in the work, to 
haul the first load of goods from Pacific City for the country store. 

It looked lonesome, this one building away off from the road, in the 
middle of a big weed pasture. No sidewalks, no (ravel marked streets. 
But a lively imagination of the mind, of neighbors, business men, me- 



BRIICF HISTORY OF MALVERN 7 

chanics and helpers thr.t would soon he here, of fine homes, green grass 
lawns and flowers, of school and scholars, churches, of sewers, curb and 
gutter and paved streets seen in the distance gave better coloring to the 
picture. When material things look gloomy and life views clouded, Faith 
and Hope of better things are wonderful sustainers. 

The ISth day of November, the construction train, working from the 
west laid the track across Silver Creek bridge and met the gang from the 
east down near the Nishna, where the last rail was laid, completing this 
division. On the 2Gth dciy of November, 1869, the first through passenger 
train, consisting of the mail and express car and three coaches loaded with 
passengers, passed slowly through our little hamlet of one building with- 
out stopping. The entire population three in number were out and gave 
them the Chautauqua salute, which was returned in great number. 

There was a good stoue curbed spring of clear sparkling water where 
now stands one of Mrs. J. P. Retelsdorf's brick homes, and we had a well 
worn path through the weeds from our house to it, in which we could dip 
our bucket without roiling its waters. The walk there was a pleosant one 
when dry. 

The Railroad section foremen were the first to come and build their 
little homes for their families, one gang of men under Thomas Hawkins 
of good English blood, and one in charge of John Johnson whose native 
land was Sweden. In our first business acquaintance with Mr. Johnson, 
as a creditor his name was entered on the books as Yon Yohnson, our 
knowledge of Swedish-English being limited, but he was of good credit 
under either name. 

We had neighbors, near neighbors now, one of them across the street 
and the other in the same block north. Of these men and their helpers, 
only two became permanent residents, Mr. Hawkins and Mr. Chris Kelsey. 

For a place where hunger can be satisfied and a bed for rest and sleep, a 
lodging house is the first needs of a town. 

The fourth building erected was the Cullers House put up by Mr. Cul- 
lers for that purpose in the winter of '69 and '70. The important event 
of its completion was celebrated by a grand social gathering of the entire 
population of the town and of the country round about to participate in 
the house warming. After a while, there was music in the air, and the 
old style dance was on. Most of them tarried and went home in the early 
morning. 

Early in November a petition was circulated by Mr. Andrew Berkhimer 
and others asking the Post OflR.ce Department for an office at Milton. The 
requisite number and more of petitioners were quickly secured and for- 
warded to Washington. In a short time word came from the department 



8 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

that there was already an oflRce of that name in the State and the request 
could not be granted. 

The temporary settlement of the question was made by adding the 
word Station, making the name of the office Milton Station. The com- 
mission of first postmaster was dated January 17th, 1870, and the office 
soon in working order. 

James S. Miller from White Cloud was the pioneer blacksmith of 
Milton, building a shop and ready for business in February, 1870. It's a 
long line and many changes of village blacksmiths since Jim first lit the 
forge fires in 1870. 

Early in 1870, Mr. Fred Zanders invests in real estate by purchase of 
lots on 4th Ave. north of the pioneer store, putting up a building for busi- 
ness and a home and opening out a stock of boots and shoes. 

Merchants sold boots in those days, made of cowhide and calfskin for 
old and young men and red topped ones for the boys. Old men will re- 
member with what pride they pulled on their first pair of red topped 
boots. 

In rapid succession business men are coming in. John. N. Sheldon is 
the next to come in putting up a building corner 4th Ave. and 3rd St. and 
when completed he moved his stock of general merchandise from White 
Cloud where he had been in business for some time. Closely following 
Mr. Sheldon was the drug store stock and building of Dr. S. T. Brothers, 
from White Cloud, as it came in sight up through the field back of the 
cemetery, slow but sure, it reached its destination and was placed on a 
rock foundation just north of Paddock's Store. 

The coming of these older business men from White Cloud with their 
knowledge of the country and acquaintance with the people added much 
to the nucleus already forming for the good citizenship of the village. 
Capt. H. E. Boehner and family became residents of the town in April, 
1870. Mr. M. E. Boehner, a nephew of the Captain having put up their 
store building and residence on the corner of 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue, 
it was all ready for their coming. The few townspeople that were here 
were glad to welcome them for the number in the family added quite large- 
ly to the social life and population of the village. 

Mr. Wm. McCrary was the next business man to cast his lot with us and 
take up his duties as a citizen. He built a store building, with temporary 
home above on 4th Avenue, north of Mr. Sheldon's store, and put in a 
stock of general merchandise. The coming of the McCrary household 
added much to the social and musical interests of the village. The Mc- 
Crary store building, although weather beaten and worn from time and 
removals, with some patching that has been made, is yet a home for bus- 
iness on First Avenue. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



During the summer of 1870, there were several small homes built south 
of the track as we designated the location then. Among the number were 
B. F. Barnett, Chris Kelsey and Wm. Dunn. 

Johnathan Wilbur was our first mail carrier, on Star route between 
Milton Station and White Cloud post offices. We all got acquainted with 
Uncle Johnathan for his exactness in every little detail of his business, 
and the consciousness he had of his dignity as an employee of the govern- 
ment. The good old man has been laid away with the dead these many 
years. 

B. F. Barnett commences his long and honorable service as our village 
drayman. 

A grain elevator was built early in 1870 by J. D. Ladd & Co., but soon 
passed into possession of J. F. Evans, a resident of Council Bluffs, and 
under his able management he soon built up an immense business in 
handling grain. 

In the spring of 1870, the Town Lot Co., engaged the writer to set out 
some trees around the north side public park. The few that survived 
from the tree range of browsing cows and bouncing boys are now land- 
marks of the days labor. 

Bryson & Son were the starters of the lumber business, young Mr Bry- 
son as manager. Following them closely in the lumber business was the 
firm of Moninger & Ringland represented here by I. B. Ringland. 

At this early date 1870, prospecting surveys were made for the St. Louis 
and Council Blutts Rail Road and we were quite elated expecting an early 
completion of the road to cross the B. & M. at our town, Milton. For some 
reason however, the preliminary surveys were pigeon holed for nearly ten 
years before being used. 

Mr. E. B. Knapp builds a business house and temporary home combined 
and hangs out a sign "Harness Shop". 

April loth, 1870, friends of the Sunday School met in the hall over The 
Chronicle office for organization of a Union School and the following 
named officers were chosen: P. V. Hawley, Supt.; M. E. Boehner, Ass't. ; 
Mrs. M. J. Curtis, Sec; Robt. Tohe, Librarian and Wm. McCrary musical 
director. These conscientious planters sowed the seed for the Sunday 
School in Milton and Malvern, and its divine teachings have helped to 
make better the young lives and older ones as well, that have placed them- 
selves under its influence during the many years since. 

J. W. Lawson, wife and son came early as residents of tbe town. Mr. 
Lawson was one of the first good bunch of business men, putting up a 
building on the north side of 3rd Street and filled it up with home furn- 
ishing goods for sale to customers and was generally busy; but when he 
was not, he could draw the bow across his old violin, for company and 
pleasure and sometimes for profit. 



10 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

Abbott, Kinsely & Co., a chain store firm built and put in a good stock 
of Hardware under the management of John J. Halght, location 4th Ave. 

J. J. Curtis opens another hotel in a building erected on Corner 3rd 
Street and 3rd Avenue, named the Curtis House. 

Henry Slonaker and wife were residents of the neighborhood before the 
town started — young people from the Slonaker and Foxworthy homes. 
From an accident that nearly cost him his life Mr. Slonaker was unfitted 
for hard labor and they moved into town to try some lighter work. He 
was in business for himself at different times and a general helper for 
others. He died while at his work a few years ago. 

The name Milton for the village and Milton Station as name of post 
office, caused so much trouble, as feared it would, in delivery of freight 
on the rail road and mail for the office that steps were taken early by the 
railroad company and the citizens to make a legal change of name. The 
change of name of the town was soon made, but the change of name of 
office was slower and not fully completed until the post master received a 
new commission as Post Master at Malvern, August 15, 1871. While con- 
sidering the change of name. Dr. Brothers suggested the name Malvern in 
honor of his old home town in Ohio and there being no other town of that 
name in the State it was approved and so recorded. The writer was sick 
in bed at the time and the name of Marston, which he wished to present 
in honor of one of the firm in whose emply he had been for several years 
was not considered. There is much oft times in a name and whether the 
talisman of the one chosen has been a success more than the other would 
have been, cannot be known. 

In July, 1870, Mr. Fred Spencer thought the village and country round 
about needed a first class grocery store. Every one had to furnish his 
own building for business; there were none for rent. Mr. Spencer put up 
his building on east side of 4th Avenue and filled it up with goods. In 
September, he took Mrs. Spencer as a partner in the business and the 
home. 

James Churchill, wife and baby came in August, 1870, and soon com- 
menced the erection of a building for business and a home on 4th Avenue 
and they have been with us ever since. There has been no break in their 
citizenship. Mr. Churchill has been a mover and history maker for the 
town. An assistant to the Civic League, he has cleaned up many a wreck 
and made it over new. A reminiscence from him of those early days, that 
he had to pay twelve dollars and a half a month for a two room house, an 
old one at that, that had been moved in from outside of town. The build- 
ing is now a part of Mr. Hoover's home. This experience may have started 
the thought with him that it was better to be landlord than tenant, as he 
has been landlord to many tenants since then. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 11 



rne natural events of life will occur in regular order whereever people 
congregate together. Joy and sorrow will follow each other in rapid suc- 
cession. Gay and happy hearts at the wedding feasts and sad ones at the 
burial service. The participants in the first marriage of residents of the 
village were Mr. Eli Vickery and Mrs. Ann Roberts, August 17, 1870, and 
closely following them, the marriage of Mr. James S. Miller and Miss Mary 
Raines. Squire West as Justice of the Peace, who lived north west of 
town, did most of the marrying in those days, and he tied them good. 

Wm. Bennett builds a business building just north of the Culler's House, 
which had a varied use as a public hall. Lunch room and Saloon and later 
a general store. 

Silver Urn Masonic lodge moves from its country home with Mr. 
Sterling Davis on upper Silver Creek to Malvern, to try city life in a hall 
room above the drug store of Dr. S. T. Brothers. Of the movers, there is 
only one left, James H. Wing now a resident of Kansas. The Master has 
called all the others to the Grand Lodge above. 

The first issue of our village paper, No. 1, Volume 1 of the Mills County 
Chronicle, came from the hand press, October 15, 1870, edited and man- 
aged by H. A. and Wm. Copeland, father and son. It was published every 
Saturday morning, that it might be fresh for our Sunday reading. The 
publishers say in their salutatory that they expect a liberal support from 
the business men of the town and county, but support or not they will pub- 
lish it for a year at least. H. A. Copeland, the father, was a man of more 
than ordinary ability, an all around man, having been preacher, lawyer, 
clerk of the courts, and now an editor. He was quite an able speaker and 
could interest his hearers with his pathos and humor in religious service 
or at political gatherings. He may at times have exceeded the limit of 
time for even a pleasing discourse, as the following story is told of him; 
that one Sabbath morning when he was to preach at the Foxworthy school 
house there was plainly written on the blackboard across the room, "Cope 
you must not talk more than one hour today". Cope was the friendly name 
and salutation of his friends, by which he was well known. The party who 
was accused of giving the blackboard warning is yet living in this vicinity. 
It is probable that an extra good dinner was expected and he did not want 
it unduly delayed. 

Malvern grain and produce market quotations in the first issue of the 
Chronicle: Wheat 75c, Corn 35c, Oats 30c, Flour $3.00 per hundred, 
Bacon 20c, Lard 20c, Butter 35, Eggs 15c, Potatoes 35c, Onions $1.25, 
Bush Beans $3.00, Salt $3.00 barrel. 

The first child born in the village was a boy baby at the home of Mr. 
and Mrs. Thomas Hawkins, October 19, 1870, and they gave him the plain 
name of John. His home is now in Omaha. 

October 29, The Chronicle publishes this notice "Rev. O. W. Cooley 



12 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

will hold religious service in the dining room of the Malvern House to- 
morrow morning at 10:30, all are invited." When the name of the town 
was changed, Mr. Cullers gave the new name to hotel as the Malvern 
House. 

We sometimes get our Christmas presents a little bit ahead of time. An 
early Christmas gift of a boy baby was left at the home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Wm. Dunn in the south part of town on December 19th, just two months 
to a day younger than baby Hawkins. He has not wandered away, for any 
length of time, but a few miles from his place of birth, and is counted in 
the class of old settlers as Robt. E. Dunn near Emerson. 

They are unloading a train load of Texas cattle from the cars to day, 
November 25th, that have been shipped in by the stockmen Murphy & Mc 
Coy to sell as feeders. It would be a novelty for the young people at the 
present time in town and from the farm to see them, wild eyed, untamed 
brutes, showng their relief in getting out of the close confines of their 
prison pen of many hours duration. Tall and gaunt with wide spreading 
horns, two feet or more in length and breadth and the savage use they 
made of them in goring each other, must have suggested to stockmen and 
breeders the dehorning process and the breeding for hornless cattle. 

Strahan's addition of the hill and hillside to the town in December, 1870, 
was attractive to those who intended soon to build permanent homes, and 
lots were selected on Douglas, Center, Chase and Boundary Streets for 
early use. 

The lumber men were about the first to build homes in the new addi- 
tion, Mr. Bryson at the top of the hill on the south side of Douglas Street, 
now a part of the home of Dr. Hictt, and Mr. Ringland housed his family 
in a nice home at the foot of the hill on north side of Douglas street, which 
is now a part of the Cottage Hotel. 

There have been a number of business men and helpers that have come 
in so quietly during the year that the news gatherer has failed to intro- 
duce them as they came. The census taken has not reported and we have 
no record of the wives and youngsters in the homes, of the helpers in the 
business houses, shops and yards, the men with the teams, with saw and 
plane, with shovel, ax and spade, all helping to make history and the vil- 
lage life. Some of them will get in line farther on. The three that ob- 
served Thanksgiving day, 1869, have some helpers now and we will call 
the roll: Abbott, Knisely & Co. Hardware; Mrs. Adams and M. J. McBride, 
Millinery;A. H. Adams, Clerk; Bryson & Van Doren Lumber; H. E. Boeh- 
ner & Son, General Store; M. E. Boehner, Carpenter; B. F. Barnett, Dray- 
man; Dell Billings, Clerk; Brothers & Roberts Physicians; Wm. Bennett, 
Lunchroom; Brothers Gastineau & Co., Drugs; H. A. & Wm. Copeland, 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 13 



Publishers; J. J. Curtis, Hotel; Curtis & Sweetzer, General Store; W. E. 
Cain, Rest.; Elias Carsner, Carpenter; S. A. Campbell, clerk and student; 
H. A. Copeland, Atty. ; Jas. Churchill, Restaurant; J. M. Cullers, Malvern 
House; M. O. Dowd, surveyor; Wm. Dunn, Clerk; Dauthort & Gorton, Real 
Estate and Insurance; Clarence Denmark, clerk; Evans Bros., Grain Ele- 
vator; Gus Gerber, Station Agent; J. J. Haight, Mgr. Hdwe.; Ira Hoople, 
saloon; E. B. Knapp, Harness; Johnie Kincannon, Barber; J. W. Lawson, 
Furniture; Lilly & Clinedinst, Plasterers; Lord & Kyle, Painters; Wm. 
McCrary, General Store; Moninger & Ringland, Lumber; James S. Miller, 
Blacksmith; Byron Mershon, Clerk; Pat Murray, Stone Mason; D. Mc 
Farlane, Dry Goods; Bert Nichols, Jeweler; J. D. & C. H. Paddock, Gen- 
eral Store; Julius Pettee, Barber; Emerson Robinson, Clerk; Henry Rob- 
inson, Clerk; J. N. Sheldon, General Store; J. B. Stetson, M. D.; H. Slon- 
aker. Lunch room; F. P. Spencer, Grocer; I. J. Swain Book keeper; Frank 
Tubbs, Teamster; Eli Vickery, Carpenter; H. H. Webster, Meat Market; 
Fred Zanders, Boots & Shoes: Quite a respectable gathering in a year of 
time. 

Everything was new and our interests were more in common. We had 
not been rubbing up against each other long enough to make any sore 
spots and as a people we came more intimately together in our social 
and religious life; in union socials, festivals, in fairs and parties for social 
pleasure and lor Sunday school and church benefits; in the Dickens Club, 
Literary Club, Amateur Concerts and the drama, for intellectual improve- 
ment and pleasure. The amusement critic of the Chronicle comments on 
one production January 1st, 1871. "The drama of 'Ten Nights in a Bar 
Room' was given last Saturday evening in Bennett's Hall. J. W. Lawson 
in the character of Slade was inimitable; Miss McBride as Miss Slade was 
represented with modest dignity; Miss McKeever look the part of Mrs. 
Morgan with great success; Miss Boehner as Mehitable Cartwight was 
attractive in her role of unsophisticated simplicity; Mr. Knapp as Joe 
Morgan could not be excelled; Mr. Gaston as Romanic, Dr. Stetson as 
Switchell, Mr. Curtis as Green, Mr. Swain as Frank Slade, Mr. Kyle as 
young Squire Hammond, all carried their part with great credit. ' 

The birth place of the first baby girl was at the home of Mr. and Mrs. 
J. W. Lawson and they gave the bright little one the name of Nettie Mal- 
verna, (Malverna the feminine of Malvern) as an honor to the name of 
the place of her birth. 

Good progress has been made as a village in the temporal affairs of 
business and home building, but for continued progress, educational and 
moral forces must also be built up and fostered; the School and the 
Church — the true foundation of good society, loyal homes and stable gov- 
ernment, in the school that the right direction and training may be given 
to the expanding mind and intellect of the young life for the best service 
there is in them as they grow to manhood and womanhood and take up 



14 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



their part in the worl- of the world. Without moral restraint of the 
tendencies of the human heart and control of human passions society 
would make no progress toward better living. Like the regulator on the 
steam engine, the Church and its divine teachings regulate and control 
the tendencies toward evil and strengthen that which is good So these 
great forces must be taken up that a solid foundation be laid for good 
citizenship. The village plat was in the limits of the Foxworthy school 
district. To provide for those pupils who could not well go so far until 
we could be legally set off as an independent district. Mr. Marshall Angel 
opened up a school in a little shack of a building standing on 4th Avenue 
at the north public park. This was the first effective start of the public 
school. This little building had been a tool house for the section men 
and had been the meeting place a few times for religious gatherings where 
Rev. Francis Plumb had first called the people together for observance of 
the Lords Day. An organization of the school district of Malvern was 
effected in May, 1871, with I. B. Ringland, H. E. Boehner, W. M. McCrary, 
J. M. Strahan, M. J. Curtis and J. D. Paddock, directors, Henry Gastineou 
Treasurer. August 5th, the following notice was published. "The electors 
of Malvern are called upon to vote on the question of issuing bonds to 
build a school house. The election will be held at the Curtis House Aug- 
ust 11th, and don't you forget it." It was thought wise to add this re- 
minder, for all the voters were busy men and might forget. It was not 
forgotten, and the election carried almost unanimously in favor of the is- 
sue of bonds for three thousand dollars. The question of location was 
soon settled. Bonds were issued and sold to G. W. Frank of Corning, 
Iowa. Mr. Frank was sales manager of the town site properties along the 
line, and a representative of eastern capital. Contract was let for a brick 
bulding and December 4th, 1871, the first session of the public school was 
called to order in the new building. It is now all covered up in the pres- 
ent school building. F. H. Hannah was the first instructor of the Malvern 
school and Miss Florence McCrary his assistant. 

Religious services had been observed from time to time by Rev's. Plumb, 
Cooley, Otis anl Loomer in section house. Hotel and Depot wareroom. An 
early movement was made by the Methodist and the Baptist people for 
bulding church homes in Malvern. The M. E. Church society was organ- 
ized here as a part of the circuit April 24th, 1870. We have no record of 
the charter members of this society, other than J. H. Madden, Jesse Reed 
and Plenry Raines as the nucleus of the organization. In the early sum- 
mer, funds were pledged, location selected on west side of Second Aveuuo 
between 5th and 6th Streets and the building erected and all ready for 
the dedication service March 31st, 1870. Rev. J. P. Evans was the first 
pastor. 

There was an organization of the Baptist Church that was formed De- 
cember 26, 1857, that had held services at the old log school house in the 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 15 



Britt neighborhood and later at Centerline School house. The question of 
building in the new village was soon taken up, and through the labors of 
J. C. Otis of Glenwood, arrangements were made and a church home was 
built on the north east corner of Douglas Street and Prospect Avenue. The 
society known as the Silver Creek Baptist Church was disbanded and the 
members with a few additions were reorganized as The Malvern Baptist 
Church. The names of the original members of Malvern Church were: 
Andrew and Margaret Berkhimer, W. A. Cain, Mary Carsner, Amanda E. 
Davis, Margaret Dunigan, W. K. Follett, B. G. Harrison, Phyllis Harrison, 
Eilen Purcell, Hannah F. Summers, Harriett Woodrow, Stephen Woodrow, 
and Enoch and Elizabeth Witt, Rev. W. A. Cain, Pastor. 

The people seem to be too healthy for so many doctors and Dr. Stetson 
changes his abode from Malvern to Hastings, and D. McFarlane, the dry 
goods man, moves to keep comprtuy with the doctor. There are others we 
could spare better than these two good citizens. 

Early in 1871, Mr. J C. Herbert and family came to Malvern and Mr. 
Herbert starts a hospital for decrepit footwear and also keeps a small 
stock of healthy ready made goods. His little shop and home combined 
which he put up on east side 3rd Avenue near 3rd Street, is the only one 
of the old time land marks that remains in form as it was then. It has 
had no paint for more than a generation of time and looks weatherbeaten 
and aged, but it is still the shelter of a home. It was in the rear of this 
building where the tragedy of Clay White's death occurred, whether by 
accident or suicide, uncertain which. The life was gone, when near by 
neighbors investigating the shot found the lifeless body and the gun by 
his side. 

When the young man with changing and roving inclinations was told 
the old axiom that "A rolling stone gathers no moss" replied that he didn't 
want any moss, it is so with some of our citizens who want to get into .^, 
new harness for the duties and burdens of life's work. J. N. Sheldon sells 
his business to Mr. Darling who forms a partnership with P. V. Hawley as 
firm of Hawley and Darling. J. J. Curtis transfers the Curtis house to a 
Mr. Dunlap and A. N. Covert is acting landlord. J. W. Lawson sells his 
furniture business to J. M. Heifner. The firm of Brothers, Gastineau & 
Co. transfer drug store interests to the firm of Gastineau & Donner. James 
S. Miller sells the pioneer blacksmith shop to W. H. E. Smith. Capi. 
Cullers leases the Malvern House to Geo. B. Hook and Harry Baker two 
young husky fellows who stay by it just one month, July, 1871, and con- 
clude that they had rather dig for gold in some other way. The Capta-n 
again takes up his market basket and goes out foraging for supplies. 

We have some new folks that are coming in; S. Shamp has a pleasant 
place on 3rd avenue south of Curtis House where he sells gum, licorice 
and candy and serves oysters in season; Provost & Safeley Furniture and 
Undertaking; Mrs. Bowers and Mrs. Shamp Millinery; J. W. Jones a horse 



16 BRIEF HISTORY OP MALVERN 



garage; John O'Conncv a new blacksmith; Gidley & Heck Contractors; 
J. E. Neiman plasterer; Roberts & Sweetzer, Drugs; J. C. Cook is the 
brick maker. 

In the spring of 1870, Mr. W. D. Evans was opening up a new farm east 
of town, and in 1871 he purchased some lots on 3rd street on which he 
erected a good building, in the rear of which facing on 3rd avenue ho 
started in the banking business under the name of the Mills County Bank, 
and the front of the building facing on 3rd Street was occupied by the new 
hardware store of Wm. Black & Co. It was much appreciated by the bus- 
iness men, the opening of a bank in the village, for the greater safety and 
convenience in money transactions. 

Mr. Evans' son, J. G. Evans was the first one to start the rail road 
revenues at Milton and Malvern by purchase of a ticket to Mt. Pleasant, 
then the home of the family. The office that day, early in the year 1870, 
was just being opened up in a box car on the side track and this was the 
first money transaction at this point to start the volume of business that 
is now being done. As per Gus Gerber, the agent's report below, between 
January 1st and October 1st, 1871, Cash received $23592.35; Shipments: 
6780 Hogs, 1136 Cattle, 79286 bushels Corn, 22000 bushels Wheat, 4G6o 
bushels of other grains. Lumber received 72G000 ft. 

Business of all kinds was good, our trade territory extending north be- 
yond the county line, south into Fremont County, east in competition witl; 
our neighbors Hastings and Emerson and west with Hillsdale and Gien- 
wood. May 27th, 1871, there are o many teams in town with grain, 
that they fall in line a block in length to take their turn to get weighed. 

There was a necktie social at Mrs. Adams home last night. The price 
of admission was a necktie and the way we got matched up with a partner 
in the game was interesting. We were nearly all there and the event came 
off in laughable order, for the participants in those social gatherings wori 
an unchecked lot, not many that had silver threads in the hair or bunions 
on the feet. 

The citizens of Milton did not observe our National Natal day in 1870. 
and there was two years of pent up enthusiasm and patriotism on hand 
for July 4th, 1871, and the people gathered from town and country, near 
and far, in Mr. W. R. Johnson's timber south west of town. H. H. Gorton, 
one of our Real Estate firm was reader. Attorney H. B. Williams of Glen- 
wood was orator of the day. We had no brass band, but fine vocal music 
all joining in, in singing America. Florence McCrary, Mattie McBride, J. 
G. Evans and I. J. Swain, the leaders, sang like meadow larks in the 
spring time. Then the picnic spread of good things to eat for dinner and 
Fourth of July lemonade was next in order en the program. After the 
crumbs were gathered up then followed the social visiting, games and 
amusements. There were no restrictions on noise and firecrackers and it 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 17 



was a great day for the small boy and girl and the older boys and girls 
as well. 

Mr. M. E. Boehner is building him a home on the south side of Douglas 
street corner Prospect Avenue. Dr. Roberts is putting up a neat little 
cottage on the side hill on the north side of the same street. In answer to 
inquisitive inquiries he says his sister is going to keep house for him. Mr. 
Wm. Black has his fine new home on Douglas Street and First Avenue 
ready for occupancy in September 1871. 

Thanksgiving day union service was held in the Baptist Church, most 
of the business houses closing for observance of the day in church service 
and social gatherings. 

Mulholland, Thatcher & Co. are established as permanent grain buyers. 

Hubert Harris is the name of our new tailor. His business card says he 
will clean and dye your old clothes or make you some new ones. But 
Hubert was a boozer and didn't stay long on the job. 

The popular parlor game of setting up is quite the fad just now among 
the young people and has resulted in several life long partnerships al- 
ready recorded and more to follow. Isaac Mulholland of the firm of Mul- 
holland, Thatcher & Co., thinks he can manage his business better, with 
another partner and Miss Kate Boehner says yes to his partnership pro- 
posals. Dr. Roberts has changed his mind about having his sister keep 
house for him, and Miss Ruth Barnes, as his wife takes her place as home- 
keeper. Geo. B. Hook goes east to Brewer, Maine and weds Miss Susie 
Currier. Henry Gastineau goes to Indiana and finds a Mrs. Gastineau. 

Some idea of the acreage of untamed virgin soil that was waiting for 
the coming of the settler from an advertisement of Copeland & Tomblin of 
date December 23rd, having 50000 acres of rail road land for sale on 
easy terms. 

New Year's eve, 1871, Lawson's quadrille band furnish the music for a 
dancing party at Bennett's Hall. 

New Year's day 1872, there is a wedding at the home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Wm. Black. Their daughter Marion is married to Mr. L. C. Mullen from 
Ohio. New Year's day will always have more than the ordinary interest 
of the day to them. 

Our village has outgrown its clothes and must have a new suit. We 
have got along nicely under the government of the township officials bu*. 
we need some special rules and regulations for better control of the town's 
interests. An election was called February 24th, 1872, to vote on incor- 
poration, which carried and in May our first municipal election 
was called, resulting in the election of Wash Darling as Mayor, 
Wm. M. McCrary Recorder, W. D. Evans, H. E. Boehner, J. J. Haight, J. 
D Paddock and Wm. Norris for councilmen. 

The saloon business was the one great disturbing element that needed 
incorporation control. Beer Halls were in those days an expected part of 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



the business of small towns as well as large ones. Many of the lunch 
rooms and restaurants provided both food for the hungry and hard drinks 
for the thirsty. The liquor business was not under the ban of public 
opinion as it is now. Many good men and citizens looked upon it with 
complacency and took the part of those who considered it an infringe- 
ment of personal rights of the individual to interfere with the traffic. Over- 
looking the personal wrongs and suffering of many more in number who 
come under its baneful influence. It is hoped the historian will be pard- 
oned for moralizing and also for bringing in two letters of able men of 
those times to show the wide diverging views of the drinker and the 
abstainer. 

TWO FAMOUS LETTERS 

The following letter and answer to it were found in or among 
the effects of the late Dr. Buckley at Mount Vernon, 111. Both are 
classic and will doubtless be observed in many scrap books: 

"Dear Buckley: I send you some of the most wonderful whisk- 
ey that ever drove the skeleton from the feast or painted land- 
scapes in the brain of man. It is the mingled soul of wheat and 
corn. In it you will find the sunshine and shadow that chased 
each other over billowy fields, the breath of June, the carol of the 
lark, the dew of the night, the wealth of summer and autumn, 
rich content, all golden with imprisoned light. Drink it and you 
will hear the voice of men and maidens sing in the 'Harvest 
Home,' mingled with the laughter of children. Drink it and you 
will feel within your blood the starred dawns, the dreamy, tawny 
dusks of perfect days. For forty years this liquid has been con- 
fined within the staves of oak, longing to touch the lips of man. 
Your friend, ROBERT G. INGERSOLL." 

"My Dear Bob: I return to you some of the most wonderful 
whiskey that ever brought a skeleton into the closet or painted 
scenes of lust and bloodshed in the brain of man. It is the ghost 
of wheat and corn, crazed by the loss of their natural bodies. In 
it you will find a transient sunshine chased by a shadow as cold 
as an Arctic midnight, in which the breath of June grows icy, 
and the carol of the lark gives place to the foreboding cry of the 
raven. Drink it and you will have woe, sorrow, babbling and 
wounds without cause. Your eyes shall behold 'strange women 
and your heart shall utter perverse things.' Drink it deep and 
you shall hear the voices of demons shrieking, women wailing, 
children mourning the loss of a father who yet lives. Drink it 
deep and long serpents will hiss in your ears, coil themselves 
about your neck and seize you with their fangs. 'At last it biteth 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



19 



like a serpent and stingeth like an adder.' For forty years this 
liquid death has been confined with staves of oak, harmless there 
as pure water. I send it to your mouth to steal away your 
brains, and yet I call myself your friend. BUCKLEY." 



The landlords become weary in well doing and changes are made. In 
January, 1872, Captain Cullers sells Malvern House to W. H. Anderson 
and soon after Mr. Lee Anderson, brother of W. H., buys the Dunlap 
House, formerly the Curtis house 

Sidewalks in small towns then as well as larger towns and cities were 
constructed of boards, plank and brick. Our walks and crossings were 
all of boards and plank, making a fine runway and home for the rats and 
a pitfall for accident and trouble. No street grades were established and 
every one built on his own level and the heights and depths, steps up and 
down were wonderful. Citizens on 4th Avenue decided to meet on a level 
and we had one whole block of level walk. 

April 13, 1872, Wm. Copeland receives the appointment as Postmaster 
at Malvern and on June 8th, 1872, the money order department was es- 
tablished and the first money order issued from the Malvern office. 

Mr. John Farley is our meat market man, a new citizen. 



We list the names, of 
as history makers, who 
Walter Atkinson 
Johnie Atkinson 
Amy Atkinson 
Mary Atkinson 
Ella Black 
Clara Boehner 
Emma Brobst 
Ida Brobst 
Ella Brobst 
Eddie Boehner 
Chester Berkhimer 
Sarah Berkhimer 
Thomas Benton 
Ida Bennett 
Alice Berry 
Sarah Berry 
Clarence Cullers 
Robt. Copeland 



the present time business men and women in life 
were pupils in our public school, April 24, 1872: 



Lottie Copeland 
Eva Copeland 
Bessie Carsner 
Vena Donner 
Charles Fleming 
Lucy Herbert 
Jennie Herbert 
Henry Herbert 
Willie Herbert 
Agnes Herbert 
Susie Knapp 
Emma Long 
Benton Lawson 
Clay McCrary 
Harry McCrary 
Anna Miller 
Viola Miller 



Eugene Miller 
Charlie Miller 
Earlie Norris 
Mary Norton 
Harry Provost 
Frank Pratt 
Emma Ringland 
Maggie Ringland 
Eva Ringland 
Lucy Strahan 
Ella Strahan 
Frank Strahan 
Eddie Shamp 
Willie Shamp 
Johnie Shamp 
Lucinda Thompson 
Lillie West 



June 8th, 1872, the Town Council passed an ordinance establishing 
saloon license at $80.00 per year, and $20.00 per year for each billiard 
table, with restrictions and penalties for opening the doors on Sunday. 



20 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

The vote of the council was not always unanimous in favor of saloon li- 
cense, for its inconsistency, to vote a tax upon a business which if not 
legitimate should not be allowed and if lawful should not be taxed. 

Little bands of Indians visit us occasionally, selling their wares, begging 
some, and possibly borrowing some. 

Mr. Gus Bada buys the pioneer blacksmith shop of Mr. Smith who only 
a short time before had bought it of Jim the pioneer. Gus stays with tt 
several years. He comes over occasionally from his Nebraska home to 
visit relatives and see how we are getting along without him. 

To spur up business and get his fill of watermelon Copeland offers a 
year's subscription to the Chronicle for largest one brought to his office. 
He was kept busy for many days, making records of the weight of them, 
and adding their weight to his own and his friends weight. Henry Slon- 
aker got the paper for a 39 pound melon. 

Mr. A. D. Place has been here some little time and likes it so well that 
his mother and two sisters come to make Malvern their home and Mr. 
Place goes into the lumber business. 

The Mills County Bank the name adopted by W. D. Evans for his busi- 
ness is also taken by Glenwood parties who start later for organization of 
a bank at Glenwood. To avoid confusion and trouble Mr. Evans submits 
to the encroachment and renames his business as the Farmers and Trad- 
ers bank. 

Robert, Joe and John Knight, three brothers, take up their residence 
in Malvern. Death calls Joe, but Robert and John have kept up their cit- 
izenship since then, and have had an active part in the interests of town 
and county — one as a bridge builder and the other as a builder of homes. 

James Jones wife and baby make this their stopping place. Death has 
broken into their home, but members of the family are yet interested in 
Malvern as residents, or living near by. 

One morning in August, a telegram comes to Capt. Boehner that his 
son Geo. R. Boehner had been killed in an accident on the Texas & Pacific 
Railway, a startling and sad message to them. 

The wife of our townsman, C. W. Black, dies today, November 26th, 
1872, having been only a month or two of life in her new Iowa farm home. 

Mr. Washington Darling was a man of ability and a good citizen in the 
community, as a farmer near here. He was one of the earlier settlers of 
the county and had served as a member of the state legislature in the late 
50's, Mr. Darling was a contractor with two other parties for the con- 
struction of this section of the railroad and in some way was held re- 
sponsible for old claims against his partners, which crippled him financial- 
ly and also crippled in bodily strength by paralysis of his legs a few years 
before. He struggled heroically to recuperate his losses in mercantile 
business in Malvern, but was too much handicapped for the success he 
tried so manfully to win and the business was closed. 




Third Avenue in 1872, Lookinji West from Second Avenue. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 21 



Hunting for feathered game was not very exciting on account of the 
little time it took for the sportsman to fill the game bag. Prairie chick- 
ens, quail, geese and ducks in great numbers, especially prairie chickens. 
In the ten days preceding the holidays of 1872, our grocer F. P. Spencer 
took in for shipment over 90 dozen of these birds alone. Now and then 
we had venison, but not often. An indiscriminate slaughter of the game 
birds and the wanton destruction of the buffalo on the plains of Nebraska, 
Kansas and Colorado, has brought about the extinction of the buffalo and 
almost so of the game bird. Now the small boy and the larger boy in 
their lust to kill are bringing about in the same way, the destruction of 
the song birds. As the poet lover of the tree has said "Woodman spare 
that tree," we would say to the boy, boy spare the life of the song bird. 

Thanksgiving day 1872 the morning service at the M. E. Church, Rev. 
C. Merwin speaker, evening service at Baptist Church, Rev. Frank Britt 
in the pulpit. 

Christmas Eve 1872, we all have a personal interest in the community 
Christmas tree at the M. E. Church, a fine young forest tree loaded to the 
top. We all got gifts. The editor of the Chronicle was one who was 
friendly enough to tell what his gifts were — one large delicious onion, 
one small sack of beans and one doll of African descent. 

In 1872 and 1873 carpenters, plasterers, tinners, painters and helpers 
were kept busy building new business houses, enlarging the older ones, 
and building homes, that added much to the permanence and beauty of the 
village. Curtis & Sweetzer. Henry Rahies, Wm. Norris and James Chur- 
chill built business houses and Prof. Hannah, Frank Tubbs, I. P. Ricka- 
baugh, Eli Vickery, H. Austen, Wm. Sweetzer, M. J. Curtis, G. T. Douner, 
A. N. Covert, A. P. Provost, Wm. McCrary, H. Gastineau, W. D. Evans, 
F. P. Spencer, A. D. Place, M. E. Mitchell, Tip Wilson, Henry Bohlen, built 
homes in the north and east parts of the town, bringing the whole hillside 
with them. In the south part of town improvements were also being 
made, Rev. Merwin makes a location on the south east lots of the plat on 
which he erected a fine home for thos early times, in which he resided for 
a number of years and for several years it was a home for others. Recently 
the wreckage of the building has been used in the modern home of D. E. 
Whitfield. Barnet, Kelsey, Carsner, Brobst, Dunn, Andres, Churchill, 
Miller and Noel were other builders in this south side section. These 
buildings were not all large and commodious ones, but large or small they 
all had about them the magic influence of the word HOME. 

Cook and Kemple are the brick makers in the suburbs of town, Walton 
and Pickett raise and sell stock from their nursery garden north of town 
where the nice country home of C. M. Follett now stands. 

The year's saloon license is about to expire and the saloon men are find- 
ing fault with the amount of tax imposed. The mayor calls a public meet- 



22 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

ing, for an expression and it is a very strong one that no lower license be 
granted. 

James H. Smith with wife and babies move to Malvern. J. E. Garrigues, 
and Robt. Aiton in partnership in Law, Real Estate and Insurance busi- 
ness. J E. Neiman buys I. P. Rickabaugh's home. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. B. 
Hook have enough of the "wild and wooly" west and return to their old 
eastern home place, Brewer and Bangor, Maine. It is with regret that we 
say good bye to them. They will be missed in business and in social life. 
Death called Mr. Hook from his extensive business of tent and sail mak- 
ing a few years ago. 

March, 1873, R. J. Brown from Bedford, Iowa, buys out J. J. Haights 
hardware business. Hamer F. Wilson, and Al and Harry Hershey are 
young men, new residents of the town, that in some way have dropped 
down here and having a good appearance and enough to pay their board 
and washing, the town people seemed to enjoy their company and let them 
stay. They were here until they got mated with three of our best young 
ladies and wrestled awhile with business pursuits. They have at last 
wandered away and seem to have forgotten the place where they passed 
so many happy days in their young manhood. Mr. H. A. Norton the grocer 
and Mr. Joseph Thomas the tailor are two new men in the business ranks. 
Mr. Norton has been quite a factor in helping to build up the interests of 
the town. 

Four of our young people get mated in due form, Mr. E. B. Knapp and 
Miss Lucy Herbert; Mr. G. T. Donner and Miss Ella Haight. 

Bert Nichols the jeweler thinks he will try a new way to shave the peo- 
ple and he buys out the barber shop of Clarence Denmark. 

April 12th, 1873, there are some new men at the helm to guide the 
business of the village — J. J. Haight is Mayor; A. D. Place Recorder; C. 
H. Paddock, E. B. Knapp, S. W. Roberts, F. P. Spencer, and Wm. Black 
councilman. 

W. E. McDaniels takes Mr. Gerber place as agent at the C. B. & Q. 

In the early evening of the Sabbath day. May 24, a storm came up with 
rain, bright flashes of lightning and sharp snappy peals of thunder. In a 
few moments as the storm abated there came from the street the exciting 
cry of fire. Our fire department, the noble bucket brigade, every able 
bodied citizen a member, responded in double quick time. In the dark- 
ness of the night it was soon located as the bright flames leaped up from 
the roof of I. B. Ringlands home — a lightning stroke on the chimney. 
Dashing up 3rd street came the runners, swinging an empty bucket or 
carrying one filled. With ladders, the roof was quickly scaled and the 
fire quenched. No harm but the shock and scare to the inmates of the 
home. 

Some new arrivals to day, F. M. Morford and family take up their res- 
idence in Malvern. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 23 



"Music hath charms" — John Jackson is the leader of our Malvern 
Cornet Band and the boys who furnish the wind are Henry Slonaker, Eli 
Vickery, E. B. Knapp, Geo. Bailey, Dud Rickabaugh, Wm. Wiles and J. 
E. Robinson. 

February 11th, 1873, Mr. Marshall M. Angel and Miss Retta Cunning- 
ham became partners in the journey of life together. 

Mr. Daniel Hargin leases the Malvern House of Mr. Anderson and tries 
his ability as landlord. 

Some badness would break out occasionally, and there was need for 
some comfortable, safe place to put the culprit until the badness wore 
otf. The council in April made arrangements to build a calaboose. Some 
of the older ones may remember its construction. It was made entirely 
of 2x4 studding laid flat and spiked togeher. It was a cozy place for the 
inmates to dream dreams and make resolutions for better conduct. His- 
tory makes no record what became of this ancient relic. 

E. B. Leland succeeds McDaniels at the Railroad station. Wm. Norris 
completes his business building on 3rd Street, store room below and pub- 
lic hall above. 

At a public meeting called by D. M. Whitfield and Joseph Foxworthy 
at the Malvern School House in May, 1873, a temporary organization was 
formed for an annual exhibit of stock and farm products of the county at 
Malvern. August 11th a permanent organization was effected under the 
title of Mills County Central Agricultural and Mechanical Association and 
the following named officers elected: John Barnum, Pres., S. VanOrsdel, V. 
P., J. D. Paddock, Sec, and W. D. Evans, Treas., and a board of directors 
representing the different townships of the county. Stock was subscribed 
and paid in placing it on a good financial basis. June 25th, the Stock- 
holders selected the grounds and purchase made of Mr. J. M. Strahan of 
twenty five acres. Work was commenced and good progress made for the 
first exhibit October 1st to 4th, 1873. In addition to its use for the an- 
nual fairs since then, the natural beavty of the grounds, has made it a 
pleasant meeting place for holiday crowds, sports, picnics. Chautauquas 
and other gatherings. The sons and daughters of its first promotors are 
now in charge and planning for its success. In these later days the young 
people seem to be forgetting the prime object of the association in its in- 
ception, and are taken up too much with its sporting amusements, to the 
neglect of its farming interests, making them of secondary importance. 

While the drum and fife were sounding out their loudest tones of mar- 
tial music and people getting into line to celebrate our national holiday 
in 1873, a mover's wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen came slowly into town 
wearied out from their journey from Minnesota, on the way to Missouri. 
They stopped to rest the jaded oxen and themselves too, and never con- 
tinued their journey to the southland but became residents of Malvern, 



24 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



Henry Lehr and family and Jake Konefka and wife. After a few years 
here Mr. Lehr moved to a farm in one of the counties north. Mr. Konefke 
and family remained as permanent residents of Malvern. 

Some of oiu- troubles as business men — In 1862 our country was in the 
throes of Civil War, and as a war measure, specie payments were sus- 
pended and gold and silver coin entirely disappeared from circulation, and 
there was trouble galore in making change. For a while merchants and 
corporations issued tickets, duebills and other forms of private obligations 
Congress temporarily authorized the use of postage stamps, but they stuck 
to the persons so that they were not popular. Then what was called postal 
currency, and finally fractional currency bills, were issued in size accord- 
ing to its value stamp in 5, 10, 15, 25 and 50 cent denominations, and 
this was the current change from 6 2 to 79. A customer in payment for a 
small purchase that did not need a greenback would produce a wad of 
fractional currency, commonly called shinplasters, in payment of the bill. 
We were delighted then as now to get the clean fresh bills right from the 
government press, but it was oft times a bad case to distinguish the dirty 
crumpled torn bills whether they were genuine or counterfeit, and would 
occasionally have to haggle with the customer as to whether there was 
enough of the piece left for redemption. The merchants would lay aside 
those too bad to circulate and present them to the redemption banks for 
exchange for new bills. There was a scale and rules of redemption with 
percentage of discount according to the size of the remnants. The in- 
spector would occasionally give a piece a whack with the government 
stamp that said "counterfeit", to our sorrow and loss. 

If the disease microbes had been as active then as now, we would all 
have perished by the wayside handling the filthy pieces of paper with the 
government value stamp on. When specie payments were again resumed 
in 1879, the gold and silver coins came out from their hiding places, and 
the mints turned out the shining metal until all was lovely again. 

Mrs. J. N. Sheldon and Miss Irick, Millinery and Dress making. 

The population of the town is about 800. 

In the winter of 1873 and '74, there was a great interest in a union 
revival meeting held in the Baptist Church under Rev. J. W. Roe's preach- 
ing and the faithful assistance in every way of the pastors of the other 
churches. There were over one hundred conversions. The entire meet- 
ing was blessed by harmony and a christian fellowship, and at its close 
those who had chosen the bi-tLer way of life made choice of their church 
home. The memories of thr^o times and the good influence of the meet- 
ings have sustained and helped in many homes during the years that have 
passed since then. 

January 4, 1874, C. H. Pr.ddock and Mattie McBride are united in the 
bonds of wedlock and clof.cly following them during the year by the same 
tie were Mr. M. K. Rickabaugh and Miss Anna Knapp and Mr. Al Hawkins 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 25 



and Miss Nellie Boehner. Mr. Hawkins takes his bride away from Mal- 
vern but as long as Mr. Hawkins lived he had more or less financial and 
business interests here that kept them both interested in Mrs. Hawkins' old 
home place. 

The saloon or sidewalk question in one form or another, comes in for 
the serious attention of the city fathers at every meeting. The council of 
1874, make the following record, "Be it ordained that Ordinance No. 14 
be so annexed as to read $500 instead of $200 for yearly license to sell 
wine and beer", carried. The troubles of the present day council are civic 
improvement by water supply, curb and gutter, sewer and street paving. 

Malvern Lodge I. O. of O. F. instituted in March, 1874. Wm. McCrary 
N. G., G. D. Reynolds V. G., Dr. A. Eddy Rec. Sec, J. J, Dunlap, Treas, 

Again there are some changes in the business of the town. Mr. Zanders 
sells his business to Mr. J. P. Retelsdorf and goes again to the farm. Gus 
Donner sells his drug store interests to H. K. Snyder & Co., new men to 
Malvern and in partnership with M. J. Curtis they buy out the elevator 
and grain business of Evans Bros., and the new firm is now Curtis & Don- 
ner. 

May 13, 1874, a train load of 34 cars of cattle shipped today to Chicago. 

In today's issue of the Chronicle is the ad of a new business house. 
"Farmers look here, 10 lbs E. C. Sugar $1.00, 9 lbs. A. Sugar $1.00, 10 
lbs Carolina Rice $1.00, Best English Soda 10c, Heaviest brown muslin 
12 ^c yard by the bolt. Prints 8c to lie yard, and everything else at like 
prices." 

We give a Dolly Varden mixture of news and business in the summary 
of people-below that have not been introduced. Raines & Reynolds are drug 
store men, Rickabaugh Bros, new grocers, M. K. Rickabaugh Harness, 
Robt. Alton is our legal advisor, Dr. A. E. Eddy represents the homeo- 
pathic practice of medicine; wagon makers and blacksmiths are Adams & 
Jackson and Frank Hobbs, Hobbs new candy stores and short order 
houses, M. Brobst & John Christopher, Wilson & Place are buyers and 
cribbers of corn, I. H. Adams Restaurant; new men that push the saw and 
plane John M. Creswell, Safely Bros., A. P. Provost, J. L. Hammond, Ed 
Smith, Jake and Joel Miller and Saul Hibbs; Geo. Lynch the new tailor; 
the ladies Armstrong & Hobbs Dress makers, J. B. Coup is the picture 
man, Ed. Haymaker saloon. 

Baptist parsonage built and foundation laid for the new Presbyterian 
church. 

Hello!! Young boys and older boys are out on the street today, experi- 
menting with this hello business, yet new to us inlanders. A wire has been 
run from 3rd Street and 2nd Avenue over the buildings up to north 1st 
Avenue and with an old oyster can at each end for receivers the boys are 
hallooing at each other over the connecting line. The experiments quite 
satisfactory, that there were "millions in it" or soon would be. 



26 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

The new postal law goes into effect at the post office for free distribu- 
tion of newspapers in the county where published. 

The town council haven't had time they say to pass an ordinance for- 
bidding the free range of cows and pigs, and they are getting talked about 
scandalously by those who have no cow or pig. 

The Chronicle man is feeling fine in his new roomy press room over 
Raines & Reynolds Drug Store on 3rd Street and invites the public to 
visit the place where the bright editorials in the Chronicle are hatched. 

Mr. F. Nutt is our bread and cake builder and Nathan Feast is the new 
barber. Mr. Darling sells his livery barn, his last property interests in 
Malvern to Mr. Anderson, the hotel man. 

One lovely Sabbath day in June, 1874, friends invited us from Church 
to their country home to take dinner with them. On our way out, our at- 
tention was drawn to the immense swarm of grasshoppers in the air above. 
As we looked up towards the sun the air to a great height was clouded with 
them, flying towards the north west. Monday morning we found millions 
of them in number had lighted for a rest and a bite of something to eat. 
There were so many of them and they took so many bites that there was 
not enough of the growing grain, corn and garden stuff to satisfy their 
hunger. After a short visit of a day or two, they took wing again and de- 
parted for pastures new, leaving hundreds of acres in the county of bare 
stubby corn stalks, headless fields of grain and devasted gardens. Our 
people remember it as grasshopper year. 

July 3, 1874, a 75 foot flag pole raised to day at 3rd Street and 4th 
Avenue to fly the colors on Independence Day. 

Mr. E. K. Kemple advertizes 65000 brick for sale at $7.00 per M. Old 
settlers can recognize the products of Brother Kemple's manufacture to- 
day as they see them from old foundations taken down. 

Marshall M. Angel takes the place of Prof. Austen who resigns as prin- 
cipal of our public school. 

The Catholic Church was organized and building erected in 1874, John 
B. Murphy the prime mover in its inception and completion. We have no 
records of the other helpers. Father Kempker from Council Bluffs among 
the first to conduct services. 

July 30th, 1874, Rosaline S. Roe dies today, and the home is desolate 
without the living presence of the wife and to the five young lives in the 
home without the mother and the mother's love. 

J. G. W. F. Fleming comes to town with initials enough to his name to 
be a duke, but he is modest and only claims to be a good painter. 

First National Bank organized, J. M. Strahan President, L. Bentley 
Cashier. 

The location of the town as first platted proved to be too low and level 
for good drainage of streets and alleys and too near water for dry cellars 
and basements that would be needed for good business houses. There being 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 27 



no remedy but to move to higher ground the effort was made to make it 
unanimous but the proposition to do so did not meet the approval of all; 
some moved and some remained. July, August and September, 1873, were 
busy times for those who moved in tearing loose from old foundations and 
moving on to new ones on First Avenue. 

The location of the post office became a bone of contention between the 
sections of the divided town after the removal. Billy Copeland, the post- 
master having the office on 1st avenue was knocked out in the first round 
of the fight, Mr. John N. Sheldon receiving the appointment and it was 
promptly removed to suit. Clarence Denmark (The Count) the popular 
clerk, barber and handy man was appointed as deputy. 

As a compromise measure in the location of the post office a building 
was erected on the south west corner of 3rd Street and 1st Avenue for a 
midway location and there was another change of postmaster August 31st, 
1874, and the office located in the new building, I. H. Adams as deputy. 
The new post office building was also the first place of business of the First 
National Bank after its organization in January, 1875. There was also a 
suite of living rooms in the rear of the office and the bank, two offices and 
hall of Silver Urn Masonic Lodge above. 

Rhea J. Donner is interested in the livery business in a new building on 
4th Street. 

There had congregated together from time to time quite a community 
settlement around and near the homes of the old settlers, Jos. Foxworthy 
and Daniel Hargin and the school house of that district. At a casual meet- 
ing one day of a few, they were strenuously objecting to one name that 
had been given to them as a community by an outside neighbor. And Mr. 
John Dyson says our name shall be Peaceville, and it was thought to be 
an appropriate name for the little hamlet where harmony and good will 
had so prevailed. May it be a nucleus for the gathering of the clans of 
Peace when the whole world nearly is at War. The earlier residents of 
Peaceville precinct have been Jos. Foxworthy, Daniel Hargan, John Ham- 
mond, S. W. Montgomery, Dick Hammond, Robt. Hammond, John Wil- 
liams, John Dyson, I. Hatfield, Wm. Robinson, E. K. Kemple, Thos. Bon- 
ham, Tom Manahan, Mrs. Mary Wooding, Mr. Laing, Wm. VanDoren and 
Joe Deardorff. As a town we have been claiming the business of the brick 
yard and Nursery Gardens as a part of our assets, we feel some responsi- 
bility for the whole hamlet. The lives of the scholars of their public 
school have had so much to do with Malvern history since 1872, we would 
like to give the roll call of that date: 

Alice Brothers Geo. Foxworthy Myron Montgomery 

Anna Holmes Geo. Hibbs Melissa Foxworthy 

Albert Darling Howard Brothers Mary Raines 

Bernardo Byers Hattie Humphrey Mary Byers 

Charles Darling Henry Woodrow Orrin Humphrey 



28 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



Charles Holmes Hiram Fuller 
Charles Humphrey John Summers 
Charles Boles John Sanders 

Charles Wooding John Barnes 
Charles Hayes John Hibbs 

Clarence VanDoren James Moss 
Clarence Hayes James Boles 
Clara Darling James Hull 

Charlotte Lewis Kate Corn 
Dudley Rickabaugh Kate Hayes 



Leslie Summers 
Laura Summers 
Lilly Brothers 
Louisa Humphrey 
Mary Hammond 
Myra Bishop 
Myra Montgomery 



Phidelia Darling 
Rachael Hargin 
Rachael Rickabaugh 
Rufus Foxworthy 
Rosa Montgomery 
Rilla Hammond 
Stephen Rickabaugh 
Teresa Holmes 
Thornberg Moss 
Taylor Raines 
Tracy Moss 
Wm. Foxworthy 
Wm. Morse 
Wm. Moss 
Walter Montgomery 
Warren Hayes 
Milton Van Doren. 



Emma Holmes 
Emma Hargan 
Emma Boles 
Elisha Minard 
Edward Fuller 
Frank Boles 
Flora Hayes 

Mr. Curtis of the firm of Curtis & Donner sells his interest in the busi- 
ness as grain dealers, to R. J. Donner and it is now Donner Bros. 

Dr. Brothers in company with H. Mcintosh purchases a mill site on 
lower Silver Creek south at the stone quarry and erected a well equipped 
flouring mill and was in operation by them until 1879, when Mr. F. M. 
Buffington purchased the property and built up a good business in the 
products of the Malvern Mills. Later from some unknown, cause it caught 
fire and was entirely destroyed, it being quite a financial loss Mr. Bufling- 
ton gave up rebuilding. 

Some of our people are getting into politics and running for office. 
Marshall M. Angel was a candidate for County Treasurer and won by the 
small margin of 10 votes over his popular opponent Wm. Hoch. The office 
of Coroner not being so much sought after Dr. Brothers was elected by 
near a thousand majority. 

In 1875, Rev. J. W. Roe was quite successful in raising funds for the 
establishing of an Academical School in Malvern. A plat of ground was 
secured in the new academy addition to the town. In March, 1876, it was 
dedicated for the purpose, by tree planting of Maple, Elm and Pine. The 
first one a pine was placed back in mother earth with the ceremonies of 
careful tree planting, each one present taking part by casting in some 
earth about its roots. Before the plans had been fully arranged for the 
commencement of the building, the founder of the enterprise was taken 
away by death. The building however as originally planned was erected 
and dedicated to its purpose. But there was no director of affairs to take 
the place of the dead, and it did not succeed in that for which it was in- 
tended. Prof. Roe M. Bridges opened the school in 1878, in normal and 
scientific school work and was succeeded by Prof. M. Lewis with his as- 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 29 



sistants, Davidson Lowe and Miss Taylor and later C. L. Brill and J. D. 
Graves were helpers to make it win. In 1882, a class of our young people 
graduated from the school: D. E. Whitfield, A. M. Darling, H. D. Brothers, 
Miss Myra Bishop, Miss Carrie Buffington and Miss Lillie Brothers. Heroic 
work was done, but resources and help financially were not sufficent to 
get it on a solid basis and the effort was abandoned. August 7th, 1882, 
purchase was made of building and grounds by the Malvern School Board 
for the use of the higher grades of the public school and so used for sev- 
eral years, until it was destroyed by fire. The trees set out on that snowy 
March day all lived and are now the landmarks of the location on the 
lawns at the homes of F. D. Kilpatrick and H. T. Beattie. 

The new sign put up today reads Drs. Brothers & Campbell, Physicians 
and Surgeons. 

March, 1875, J. E. Skadan and family take up their abode in Malvern. 
Mr. Skadan helped to entertain customers for about 40 years, always ready 
to sell anything in his line, from a harrow tooth to a threshing machine. 
He has lately answered life's roll call, at his home in Roseburg, Oregon. 

E. B. Knapp our pioneer harness maker leaves Malvern. It is not pleas- 
ant to say good bye to old time friends like him. 

The Church of Christ was organized, February 26th, 1876, Jesse Fowler, 
W. P. Clark, R. D. Hammond, G. W. Baker, Henry Walton, E. K. Kemple, 
Adaline Fowler, M. J. Clark, Catherine Harles, Mary Foxworthy, E. Shep- 
ard, E. McLane, Lizzie Irick, Mary Morse, Ellen Summers, S. Kemple, 
Elizabeth Johnson, Jessie Hull and Polly Day as charter members; W. H. 
Hardman, first pastor. 

February 26, 1876. The fully completed and equipped Presbyterian 
Church building is ready for dedication today. 

Mr. W. B. Smith and family have been here some time, Mr. Smith as a 
helper in the store of Barnes & Roberts. He has his brother S. O. come 
to Malvern and they open up a lumber yard and were together at the 
business for about three years. Mrs. S. O. Smith, now a widow, has but 
lately stopped off at Malvern to make her nephew Mr. Nobe Smith a visit 
and renew memories of those earlier years of life. The two bright curly 
headed girls of the family are grown and managers of their own homes, 
Gertie at Compton, Calif., and Edith a widow, and her mother living at 
Jamestown, N. Y., seperated by the width of the continent. 

The Baptist Church is mourning the death of their pastor, and the com- 
munity the loss of a good neighbor and citizen. 

An increasing interest in the temperance movement in charge of the 
Ladies Christian Union; Norris Hall is filled every night to hear good 
speakers, many signing the pledge and putting on the blue ribbon badge, 
"Moral suasion for the drinker" and " Legal suasion for the seller." 

When Rev. D. C. Wortz and family removed from here they left their 
son William behind and he is yet a resident of Malvern. He has weath- 



30 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



ered the storms of business life and as councilman for many years, and has 
been chief of the brave fire fighters in many a fierce contest, and still 
ready for service when the screecher howls. 

Corn, the great product of our farms, is very low in price this year, 10c, 
12c and 15c per bushel on the home market and business men are feeling 
its effect quite severely. Their accounts with the farmers cannot be paid 
from the proceeds of the crop at the prices. Quite a quantity was used 
for fuel. It was clean and gave out an intense heat, but its use was not 
popular while there was other material that could be used that would not 
sustain physical life. 

The elder Mr. Myers and wife and their sons John and Sam and their 
families locate in Malvern. The older ones are all gone, but some of the 
children are yet residents. 

City directory for 1877, R. L. Gidley, Mayor; J. M. Creswell, Recorder; 
O. H. Snyder, Assessor; W. D. Evans, Treasurer; Farrell, Wyatt. Korns, 
Cooper and I. P. Rickabaugh, councilmen. Dr. Curfman and Dr. Carley 
are two new men for the sick. Mr. E. H. Mabie is Railroad agent. Lewis 
and Gray and Young and Garriguesare our attorneys. 

The national holiday in 1877, was a very hot day and it softened up the 
paper collars, cuffs and shirt fronts that were then worn, and the roads 
out of town the next morning were dotted with the manufactured products 
of the paper factories. 

November, 1877. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Mal- 
vern was organized, Mrs. Paddock, President; Mrs. Mcintosh, Vice Pres. ; 
Mrs. Barnes, Secretary; Mrs. Evans, Treasurer and were on the firing line 
in many a contest against violations of law and order by the liquor traffic. 

Rev. O. T. Conger is pastor of the Baptist Church. 

Joseph Thomas puts his needle in the cushion and gets down from 
the tailor's bench and is going to learn the trade of farming. John Ret- 
elsdorf, who has been working for him for three years becomes boss of 
the business and at this writing, as he works he is still seated on those 
same bench boards, on which he took his seat as journeyman tailor for 
Thomas forty two years ago. The boards are nearly worn out from con- 
stant use. Like Mr. Thomas, he is soon going to lay aside his needle and 
measure and be a live stock ranchman in North West Canada, where 
three of their children are, and the magnet that draws the parents. 

John Dunn and family move to Malvern and are yet residents. The 
children are grown and themselves homemakers. 

August 23, 1877. Quite impressive ceremonies today at the laying of 
the corner stone of the new Academy building. 

Two of our townsmen are running for the office of County Auditor, Mr. 
W. M. McCrary and Hamer F. Wilson. Mr. Wilson wins by the close 
margin of eight votes. Dr. Curfman is elected County Coroner. 

The town is quite interested in the purchase of the post office building 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 31 

property tor a hotel. It was nicely fitted up and opened out as The Jud- 
kins House. F. P. Spencer receives his commission as postmaster and the 
office is located on first Avenue near third street, Emerson Robinson as 
deputy. 

Through the encouragement of some friends in town a gathering was 
called June, 187 8 at Centerline School House and a Sunday School was 
organized, which with the earnest, faithful service for years of these same 
friends in town, became a great influence for good in the community. 

Through the efforts of Mr. D. H. Solomon of Glenwood, the St. Louis 
and Council Bluffs railway project, that has lain dormant since 1870, is 
revived and now in process of construction, and calls for our assistance. 
September, 1878, a special election was called at the new hotel, The Jud- 
kins House on the question of voting a 5 five per cent tax, which carried. 

Forepaughs circus and great moral show is in town today and every- 
body is going. The writer had no children to take as an excuse for want- 
ing to go, so he borrows a neighbor's boy, Billy, who wants to go awful 
bad. We go and take it all in. Billy said he enjoyed It and so did I. 

Emerson Robinson is elected Clerk of the Courts. 

In 187 8, it was found that our act of incorporation of 1872 was not 
legal and the necessary steps were taken to correct the error. An elec- 
tion was called and new city officers elected to make it complete, H. E. 
Boehner, Mayor; R. J. Finch, Recorder; Black, Bartlett, Metz, Paddock, 
W. B. Smith and Herbert, Councilmen. 

Mr. W. M. McCrary and family leave Malvern. Their many friends re- 
gret to see them go. John Safely, another good citizen takes a notion to 
move to Council Bluffs. Dr. Cleaver and family come from Tabor to Mal- 
vern. Myron Mershon an early helper in the business of the village after 
a while away, returns and opens up business for himself, in confectionery 
and bakery shop. Early this evening the little home of Jack Pierce is 
burned, with nearly all its contents. Mr. Joe Barrack and family move 
into town. We will call the roll of changes and new firms. Harlass and 
Penny the meat market men sell to Wilson and Rickabaugh. W. S. Wiatt 
Grocer, Boehner & Finch, General Store; Smith Bros., Lumber; W. W. 
Wills, Jeweler; Baker & Kinports, Furniture; J. W. Bartlett, Grocer; J. 
H. Love, General Store; Hawkins & Terrill, Gents Furnishings; Files 
Harness Shop, O. H. Snyder. Drugs; Gray Bros., Harness; Mrs. Buell, 
Millinery; Ben Garman, boarding house; Roland & Lincoln, Bakery; M. 
J. Higgins, O. Belknap and Baid and Braker will brighten up things for 
you if you will furnish the paint. Rev. Conrad goes from, and Rev. D. 
Mclntire comes to the M. E. Church as pastor. 

Let's go over to the Waughbonsie! ! In the years past the old Missouri 
had formed a lake bed close up to the bluffs and filled it with water which 
had been kept quite fresh from the bluff springs and was known as Waugh- 
bonsie Lake. It was quite a resort for our town people for picnics, camp- 



32 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

ing, hunting and fishing, boat riding and gathering pond lilies. The water 
supply has since been diverted and drained and now king corn grows over 
the beds of the lilies. 

Prof. E. B. Parrish is principal of our school. 

A wedding at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. Barnes to day April 25, 
1878, united the lives of the daughter Miss Minnie Barnes and Dr. S. A. 
Campbell. 

W. S. Lewis is elected as our Representative in the State Legislature. 

October 15th, 1879, the first through train on the St. Louis and Council 
Bluffs Railroad goes through town. November 8th, at about 8:30 in the 
evening, not quite a month later, occurred the frightful disaster at St. 
Charles, Mo., taking three lives of our own people, bringing great sorrow 
to our town and the community. Mr. Josiah Wearin, Mr. R. W. Hyde and 
John Summers, also the life of John Barnet the brakeman that brought 
sorrow to some other home. Mr. J. M. Strahan and Mr. Fred Davis were 
also in the caboose car with the others. Mr. Strahan obeyed quickly the 
impulse and jumped off from the car into the darkness, miraculously 
striking astride of the pier timbers, to which he clung, while the car in 
which his companions were, went down in a second of time later into the 
opened chasm, to the rocks and water 75 feet below. Mr. Davis went 
down with those who perished, but was wondrously spared his life, with 
only slight bodily injuries. A span of the bridge gave way under the 
heavily loaded stock train of eighteen cars of cattle which were being 
shipped to Buffalo, N. Y. The coupling broke from the first car back of 
the engine, which remained on the solid span of the bridge, while the sev- 
enteen cars of brute life, and the caboose car with its human life went 
down. John Summers was not killed outright, but after hours of suffer- 
ing, death came to his relief. It is saddened sympathetic crowds that 
have gathered at the depot a day or two waiting the arrival of the train 
bearing the dead and the survivors of the wreck. 

Manufacturers are putting on the market barbed wire for fencing, and 
John Getman our townsman has a machine that will put the ugly looking 
points on plain wire, and is doing a big business with the farmers. 

The following named young people have been tied with a true lovers 
knot and are testing love: I. C. Bonham and Georgie Earl, Al Hershey and 
Jennie Place, J. E. Garrigues and Nellie Boehner, Robt. Padget and Anna 
Conger. 

Olaf Hedlund takes up his duties as a citizen. 

Mr. J. W. Bartlett has interests that call him away and they move to 
Red Oak. 

June, 1880. A destructive fire visited the town, resulting in the loss 
of one life; Mrs. H. T. Willard living up stairs in the Sweetzer building 
returning to get something was caught in the flames and burned so badly 
that after hours of terrible suffering death came to her relief. Four build- 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 33 



incs were burned owned by Wm. Norris and Mr. Swectzer and the grocery 
stock of D. W. C. Kline with only limited insurance. 

At the June session of the board of County Supervisors a good strong 
petition was presented to them asking that the necessary steps be taken 
for obtaining an expression from the people in regard to removal of the 
county seat to Malvern. It was contrary to the wishes of a majority of 
the board and no action was taken. 

The Farmers and Traders Bank move into their new brick building just 
completed, northwest corner First Avenue and 3rd Street. 

Corn cobs are very cheap, an av/ful big load for sixty five cents and you 
can get 20 pounds of dried apples at the stores for one dollar. 

Mr. Waiter Larison buys the Henshaw Barber shop and forms a partner- 
ship with his brother Charles already in the business, and it v/as the firm 
of Larison Bros, for many years. 

December 8, 1880, I. B. Ringland dies, a large man in heart and con- 
science as well as stature, high ideals of right and justice, which he prac- 
ticed in his life. Have had associations with others along down these 
years, in this premium class, but not all of us are gifted that way. 

Market quotations December 23, 1880: Wheat 78c bushel, Oats 20c, 
Corn 23c, Rye 50c, Barley 55c, Hay $4.00 and $6.00 ton. Flour $2.50 and 
$3.00, Corn Meal $1.20, Potatoes 75c, Eggs 18c, Butter 20c, Lard 10c, 
Green Hides 6c lb.. Hogs $4.00, Cattle $2.50 to $3.75, Dressed chickens 
7c lb, Sugar Cured Hams 13c lb., Clear Side Bacon lie lb., Onions $1.25 
bu., Apples $1.00 bu., Coal Oil 35c gallon. 

Mr. Geo. W. Bates is a new Restaurant man. 

F. P. Spencer a stf.,nd ppt citizen of ten years record, breaks loose from 
Malvern. His judgment is good and be don't go very far away. Mr. 
Spencer was a soldier in the Civil war, and for a while was a guest of the 
Southern Confederacy, having a suite of rooms at Andersonville prison. 

Mr. R. A. Baird is our new lumber dealer and Mr. J. D. Graves his as- 
sistant. 

Father Wallace the marrying parson and business man, makes the rec- 
ord today of uniting his 656th couple. How much war and how much 
peace he has legalized in such a home roll. 

Miss Pangburn a business woman of the village for several years sells 
the Millinery business to Mrs. M. Lewis. Prof. Wm. Moore is principal of 
the school with Mrs. Mitchener, Miss Laura Bishop and Miss Kate Brown 
assistants. The pastors of the Churches. A. Rhodes, Baptist Church; W. 
J. Wilson, Presbyterian Church; A. J. Andres, M. E. Church; Christian 
Church no settled pastor. 

The Board of Trade members have worn the hair off the top of their 
heads, butting in for new business and big things for Malvern. A pro- 
moter for the creamery business is here and has interested enough of our 



34 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

people in the matter to subscribe stock for a $6500 plant. R. E. Copson 
commences the business of manufacture of brooms. Mr. Harry Jewett 
with the firm of Moninger & Ringland who takes charge of the business 
after Mr. Ringland's death sells out to F. C. Harris & Co., who take pos- 
session of this old established business. 

A marriage at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Strahan, their daughter 
Lucy to Mr. D. A. Jones, June 16th, 1881. 

Rev. R. M. Coulter follows Mr. Wilson as pastor of Presbyterian church. 

The wife having been taken away by death, J. T. Daugherty sells his 
home on Chase Street between Marion Avenue and Lincoln Avenue to 
Prof. Moore, consideration $475. 

H. T. Richmond strolls down here from Carson and he likes it so well 
that he stays. 

Mr. Wm. Black finding business more burdensome than in his younger 
days, sells his stock of hardware to R. J. Brown and Mr. Brown in assum- 
ing the new business takes John Barton into partnership with him. 

Earlie Norris and Mary Leak start out on the journey of married life. 

The first record we have of the now indispcnsible phone business, Mr. 
Baird the lumberman connects office and home. 

Parties are surveying railroad route Malvern to Avoca. 

Mr. Gidiey rents the Judkins House property to Mr. Frank Wilkinson. 

Cupid is very busy at his work. Mr. Lindsey comes down from Council 
Bluffs and takes the daughter, Miss Lizzie from the home of Mr. and Mrs. 
W. D. Evans and Elmer Stone comes from Glenwood and takes Miss At- 
lanta Anderson the landlord's daughter. Mr. Major Barnes, Miss Gertie 
Bartlett; Charles Larieon, Miss Nettie Finch, John Barton, Miss Bessie 
Tucker; Eli Crane, Miss Phidelia Darling, S. E. Campbell and Miss Anna 
Deaver, all have stopped to listen to cupid's artful stories. 

A vagrant traveler visits Paddock's Clothing Store on First Avenue 
near 3rd Street, while it was temporarily left in charge of the lad Willie 
Roe and selects a coat that suits him and doesn't stop to say thank you. 
The lad starts after him with a revolver from the oflfice desk in his hand 
and bv a short route intercepts him on 3rd Street and holding the gun 
dangerously near asks him to shed the coat. While held at bay, the bus- 
iness men take a hand and bring him before Squire Boehner who gives him 
twenty days at hard labor and Sherriff Farrell makes them memorable 
days for Mr. Riley. 

Mr. W. B. Smith, a resident and business man of Malvern since 1876, 
dies today, January 17, and his body is taken to Lansing, Iowa, his old 
home, for burial. 

G. T. Donner receives his commission as post master. 

At the home of Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Boehner their daughter. Miss Clara 
and Mr. J. E. Garrigues are pronounced wife and husband. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 35 

Mr. J. Clienoweth and family sell home aud business and move to Lead- 
ville, Colo. 

Harry Leland not long ago a well liked young man in Maivern is killed 
in a railroad accident at Sabula, Iowa, leaving his wife a widow after 
only two weeks of married life. 

Dr. Cleaver a short time ago went to his old home in Canada, seeking 
health, dies there and the body is brought to Tabor for burial that being 
the home before coming to Malvern. 

Some young people wed: Hugh Smith and Viola Thompson; H. Rich- 
mond and Ida Barnett. 

It is not long since friends were merry at the wedding of Miss Lottie 
Buell to Mr. Geo. W. Gray and said good bye to them as they went to their 
new home at Lake City, Iowa. Word comes to day that George is dead 
from that dreaded scourge Small Pox. 

Dr. and Mrs. Campbell are testing Colorado climate for a home, 

Robt. Alton our early history maker has secured a government position 
in the patent office at Washington. 

Geo. Wetmore buys out the business of Geo. W. Bates. Mr. Bates is 
now selling sunshine and climate in Los Angeles, Calif. 

Bonham & Hammond are nursery stock men and gardeners in Peace- 
ville suburbs. 

Mrs. Thomas Kayton in the country finds three ten cent pieces in a 
chicken's gizzard. Our new wide awake newspaper men. at once adver- 
tize that they will take chickens on subscription for the Republican Lead- 
er. 

Dr. and Mrs. Roberts start to day for Colorado, hoping a change may 
be beneficial to the doctor. With all his own knowledge of human ail- 
ments and noted skill of others in his profession, they do not seem to be 
able to check the malady. 

Frank Dixon is a new Clerk at Paddock's Store. Rev. McAfee is pastor 
of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Fred Zanders returns to town from the 
farm and is building a fine home on Boundary Street. 

Mr. F. C. Thompson buys Rhea Donner's property on 4th Street for use 
as a carriage factory. 

Mr. D. M. Whitfield a valued friend of Malvern moves from the farm 
and purchases a fine home in town. 

Dr. Gummege, our dentist, lays down his forceps and goes into the 
cattle business in Nebraska. Mr. French sells the livery business to Mr. 
Hiser. 

June 27, 1882. The State of Iowa voted on prohibition of the liquor 
traffic, our town record was 128 for and 54 against. From the incorpora- 
tion of the town to the passage of the law there was a continual conflict 



36 BRIEF HISTORY OF JvIALVERN 

between the drys and wets. When the will of the people of the State was 
expressed it helped those who wavered to get down on the right side and 
frustrate attempts to take advantage of the mulct law amendment after- 
ward passed. A little company of citizens had been banded together, for 
some time, as a watch on the aggressions of the saloon influence, to whom 
the saloon keeper had given the name of Gideons Band. Tim Manahan 
the brightest and cleanest of his claes, was the owner of the saloon busi- 
ness when the law went into effect, and a committee from Gideons Band 
waited on him ?A his place of business on 1st Avenue for terms of sur- 
render. At his request he was given thirty days to close his business, at 
the end of the time, he promptly closed his doors. With the Lord's help 
Gideons Band had again conquered. A Gideons Band could render very 
efficient service yet in our old town as an aid to the fighting forces. 

Mr. J. K. DeWolfe has been away for a while, returns and buys John 
Shuman's meat market and gets buiy. 

Mr. C. C. Baird Senior and family come to Malvern for home and busi- 
ness. He buys out the late business and property interests of F. P. Spen- 
cer. 

Mr. J. M. Strahan's fine new home is completed and ready for occupants. 

Dr. Bearing is associated with Dr. Brothers in his profession. 

A marriage ceremony at the home of Mrs. Ringland who gives her 
daughter Eva into the care of Mr. E. C. Smith. 

The post office is raised to the third class. 

Late real estate changes are M. J. Higgins buys the Bates home, Major 
Barnes the D. H. Thompson property and Geo. Wetmore is building a home. 
H. C. Palmer is a new dry goods merchant. 

Site was chosen for the Creamery buildings on east side of 1st Avenue 
dov/n near the fair grounds and ready for education of the people to its 
benefits. A mistake was that was the part that should have been built first. 
Cream routes were established for gathering the cream which was a fore- 
runner of the routes of the present rural free delivery mail system. 

The M. E. Church built a parsonage tor their pastor. 

Newt Jacobs opens up ice cream parlor and candy store on Third Street. 

Mr. J. A. Parrish is the pump and wind mill man. 

Mr. John Barrett was a resident of the county before the town started 
and is now our resident stock buyer and quite successful in his business 
although he had no gift as a talker. On one of his trips to St. Louis John 
bought a parrott, a bird of beautiful colorings and a fluent talker and his 
explanation of the purchase was that he needed help to properly keep up 
conversation with Mrs. Barrett. 

R. A. Baird the lumberman buys the Cleaver home on Douglas Street. 

The families of J. T. Ward and Geo. Keffer are added to the population 
of the town. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 37 

Michael Cunningham completes his fine new home on Marion Avenue. 
J. H. Howe, a good citizen of Winterset, Iowa, moves to Malvern and 
joins the ranks of business men. 

The interests of the town and the country are oft times so interwoven 
that we will have to step over the border line for record of some few 
events. News came to town this morning, by special carrier, not by phone, 
that Charles A. Donner was dead. The news was true, in a moment of 
lost control of reason he had taken his own life. It was a sad and pa- 
thetic scene in the country home that sabbath morning, with the wife and 
children so stricken with the tragedy and the loss. The Donner name has 
been quite a factor in the business and the history of town and community. 
The father, mother, seven stalwart sons and one daughter was the family 
in 1S69, all under the home roof or in near by homes of their own. At 
this writing all of this family have closed life's labors. 

Geo. Parmeter is the new harness dealer and repairer. 

Mr. Geo. F. Mellen of Fall River, Mass., a promoter of big interests, 
comes upon the stage of action and presents the project of establishing a 
pork packing plant in Malvern. Our well to do citizens and neighbors 
after investigation of the workings of two other plants lately built in the 
state, thought it was feasible and a winner and took hold of the matter 
in earnest. A good bonus was given and stock taken sufficient to establish 
and run a $55,000 plant. Work was commenced and pushed with vigor 
and the building complete and in running order, November 15, 1882. Mr. 
Mellen failing to materialize in the great assistance he was to be, was 
early in the work returned to the east to carry out other achievments of 
his fertile brain. 

J. G. McGregor our artist is a fishing sportsman and partial to frogs 
for bait. He failed this morning to catch any, and he offers two lads ten 
cents a dozen for all they would get for him. The boys return later to the 
office with a fine catch of ten dozen, Mac pays over the one dollar smiling- 
ly and tells them all bids are off on frogs. 

Announcement of the death of Mrs. S. C. Hunter in the paper, October 
5th, 1882. Sorrow and grief are the attendents of most every death, but 
the incident of the passing of this one was sad indeed. Mr. Hunter was 
away from home and could not be located. Her mother came as a guest 
to the home four hours after her death, anticipating in thought while on 
the way the joy and pleasure of the visit, having no intimation of the sor- 
row that was to come to her, instead of joy and gladness. Unable to keep 
the body longer, it was laid away in the grave before Mr. Hunter's return. 
He had left his wife and little ones, but a few days before in good health 
and life, and now he returns, no wife to greet him, and denied even the 
seeing of her lifeless form. 



38 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



Two additions to the population of our town — a son at the home Oi 
Denny McHugh and a daughter left with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hawkins. 
History has failed to register all the little ones that have come to see us. 
It may be best however that the pedigree of human life be left until the 
great official record has been written at the close of each. 

There was quite a little city of the dead gathered in the Aurora Ceme- 
tery before the town site of Milton was platted and now more room is 
needed. For legal transaction of business and management articles of in- 
corporation were drawn August 26th, 1S82, in the name of Malvern Ceme- 
tery Association and the following officers elected: H. W. Summers, J. M. 
Johnson and J. D. Paddock Trustees, and H. A. Norton Treasurer. Seven 
and a half acres of land was bought of W. F. Raines at $75.00 per acre, 
surveyed and platted. New fences were built and other improvements 
adding much to the beauty of the grounds. 

Sunday morning, February 18, 18S2, Postmaster Donner finds the office 
robbed of five hundred dollars value in stamps and a small amount of 
money, with no foot or finger print clue of the robbers. 

Rev. G. W. Robey succeeds Rev. Rhodes as pastor of Baptist church. 

J. C. Herbert, the pioneer shoe man and his family go to Blue Springs, 
Neb. Tippecanoe Wilson, Tip for short, removes to Carson. I. C. Bon- 
ham a valued helper at the Pioneer Store leaves for a more lucrative po- 
sition at Council Bluffs. 

Bonds are voted by the town for civic improvements, a City Hall and 
Jail. 

McCurdy & Son are new men in the harness business. 

J. E. Skadan moves his business from First Avenue around on Center 
Street and digs a well from which the clear waters have quenched the 
thirst of many visitors since. 

Out of the old and into the new — Paddock and Co.'s new store building 
is completed and they move in and take possession January 14, 1882. 

Rev. Edmunds pastor of the M. E. Church dies, one of God's workers 
taken. 

Neiman and McClunc are inside wall builders. Miss Justice and Mrs. 
Madison Dress makers. R. A. Baird buys out F. C. Harris & Co. and is 
the owner of the two yards. 

A Post of The Grand Army of the Republic is organized of the soldiers 
of the Civil War, 47 of them in the organization, representing all branches 
of the service that had gathered here since the hush of peace in 1865. 
Officers were elected, C. W. Black, Post Commander; T. M. Britt, S. V. 
Com.; John Ryerson, Jun. V. C; A. J. Chantry, Adgt.; C. H. Paddock, Q. 
M.; G. W. Curfman, Surgeon; James H. Wing, Chaplain; H. H. Woodrow, 
O. D.; James S. Criswell, O. G.; W. K. Follett, Seargent Major; J. M. John- 
son, Q. M. S; and the name Milton Summers Post was adopted in honor of 
Lieut. Milton Summers, a comrade who had died from wounds received 
in a charge made against the enemy on a southern battlefield. 



BRIEF PIISTORY OF PdALVERN 39 



Robert Knight, the bridge builder is kept busy replacing washed out 
bridges. 

Father Parmeter is stricken with appoplexy and life soon goes from the 
old tenement of clay. 

Mr. R. E. K. Mellor and Miss Maggie Ringland take upon themselves 
the obligations of married life. 

One of the startling tragedies that takes us out over the border line is 
the murder of old Mr. J. M. Shelby diring the night of December 29, 1883, 
in his little homo and business place near Pleasant Valley school house. 
The townspeople knew the quiet old man when he came to town and ex- 
pressed an earnest abhorrence of such a deed. The murderer was later 
taken, convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. He is yet in prison, 
notwithstanding strenuous efforts for his pardon. 

Uncle Sam will carry a letter for us to day October 4th, 1883, for two 
cents, yesterday he charged us three. 

Mr. Frank Goodwin is busy to day talking to his wife over his phone 
line between the store and home. 

Mr. David Duncan and family take up their residence in Malvern. 

E. B. Parrish who has been a maker of history in Malvern dies in Da- 
kota, his new home. 

Frank Williams builds a home in the north west part of town. 

C. E. Dinwiddle is a first class painter and paper hanger. 

Market quotations June 1883: Corn 35c, Wheat 78c, Oats 28c, Rye 40c, 
Potatoes 35c, Butter 12c to 14c, Eggs lie, Lard 12 %c Bacon 12i^c. 

Base Ball team organized with E B. Brown, President; R. S. Padget, 
Vice President; Dr. W. H. Dearing, Secretary; Dr. Howard Brothers, Cap- 
tain; Chan. C. Baird, Scorer. 

Mr. Chester Berkhimer and Miss Mary Oney are joined in wedlock at 
the Paddock home. 

Mr. M. T. Davis comes from business at Shenandoah and he buys the 
home of J. E. Garrigues, who is leaving us for a new home at Greely, Col. 
Mr. Davis improves his property and we thought they were going to stay 
with us, but it was not long until they take to the farm. 

Mr. Joe Deardorff and family come this way from Pennsylvania and buy 
a plat of ground and builds a home in the suburbs of town. A little later 
they come across the border line and have been helping us to make things 
go in town. 

The subject of conversation to day, November 22, is the miraculous 
escape of the little heroine, Lillian Chantry, who was caught on the 
trestle bridge of the wabash south east of town, in going to her home from 
school. Seeing she could not get off she crawled to the outer edge of the 
timbers. The little space to cling to did not give room and the fender 
roughly brushed her head as the engine rushed past. Thinking that dan- 
ger had passed she raised her head a little when the step of the last car 
struck her a blow, knocking her off the bridge down to the creek bank 



40 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

below and to the mud and water lower. Cut, bruised and frightened, she 
still retained her consciousness, and held to a bush, keeping herself from 
the deeper water. The train was stopped and the train crew rushed to the 
rescue of the brave little lass. She was taken on the train into town to 
Mr. and Mrs. Carman's home. The doctor could not discover any serious 
injury and the next day she was taken to her home. 

The First National Bank block of buildings on First Avenue complete 
and occupants moving in: First Natioifil Bank on corner, Geo. McCabe, 
Hardware; H. E. Schaeffcr, Furniture and J. H. Love & Son, General Store. 

Mr. G. A. Rogers buys out Groendykes Shop and the home of Prof. 
Moore and Mrs. Buell buys the I. C. Bonham home. 

Dr. Curfman sells his home to J. T. Ward, gives up his lucrative prac- 
tice and moves to western Nebraska, seeking climate favorable to Mrs. 
Curfman's health. 

John Robrahn is a maker of men's new suits when the old ones cannot 
be renewed. 

Mrs. W. L. Edmunds publishes a card of thanks to the many friends in 
town and country who have made her the gift of a little home. 

The wholesale houses of St. Louis desirous of more trade with the bus- 
iness men on the line of the Wabash in Iowa extended them a special in- 
vitation with inducements to visit them. A goodly number gathered from 
the different towns and the visit was made and all are pleased with the 
trip. St. Louis has not been successful in winning but little of the more 
northern trade. 

Another out of town record to make — The death by his own hand of the 
well known and respected citizen Mr. Valentine Plumb of Anderson town- 
ship. 

Dr. Brothers as representative from the county to the State Legislature 
leaves his patients in the care of Dr Dcaring and his son Howard while 
away. 

The telephone builders have reached the west limits of the town, August 
16th, 1883. 

The working force at the packing house are Charles Cottrell, Superin- 
tendent; John Each, Assistant; C. A. Day, Cooperage; Ed VanDoren, En- 
gineer; Joe Deardorff, Fireman. The opening of the packing plant called 
for men of that experience to manage its affairs. For this purpose, Mr. 
Cottrell with his family came to Malvern, where the years passed and the 
younger children as students in the school and as helpers in the home and 
business grew to womanhood and became the wives and homekeepers of 
some of our best young men. Some move wg make to day perhaps, may 
decide the direction of our future lives and of those about us. 

October, 1883, L. W. Boehner & Co. move into their fine new brick store 
building on Third Street and Third Avenue. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 41 

The teachers institute have a gathering at Malvern. A social reception 
is tendered them by our corps of teachers, Prof. Ebaugh, Miss Myra 
Bishop, Mrs. F. A. Marsh, Miss Lela C. Mitchell, Miss Emma Willey and 
the citizens of the town. A pleasing program and an enjoyable time. 

A new arrival in town, December 8th, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. 
D. Paddock, a boy. He is in a fair way yet to have a good pedigree record 
at the end of the journey. 

Jack Shere of Silver City comes down and takes Sarah from the Kelsey 
home to his own. 

We failed to make record in the early part of the year of some of our 
good citizens moving away from Malvern. Ed Hipwell goes to Red Oak, 
Eli Crane and wife to the north western part of the state and several pil- 
grims to the Dakotas for homestead claims, J. Chenoweth, Arthur Brown, 
John Barton and J. G. McGregor. Some few come in, Thomas Paul, wife 
and daughter come in from the farm, John and Wilbur Foulks come from 
Chariton and start business of Farm Machinery and Hardware under the 
name of Foulks Bros. Rev. St. Clair comes to take the vacant pulpit at 
the M. E. Church. 

January 31, 1884, Dr. Roberts dies at Colorado Springs, Colo, an early 
and active citizen of Malvern from 1870 to 1879. His body was brought 
to Red Oak and buried from his father's residence. Mrs. Roberts and 
children return to Malvern, their early home. 

The Packing House is a great place for business these days, in killing, 
curing and shipping the products of the plant. The fall season from Octo- 
ber 19, 1883 to January 31, 1884, three and a half months, cash paid out 
for hogs alone $212,000. The shipments out 112 car loads, and nearly 
as many more cars will be needed to close out the products of the plant 
yet on hand. A good reputation for quality of goods already established. 

Wm. Boney gives up his position at the Pioneer Store and is going to 
farm some Mills County land. 

Pierce Metz, the efficient manager of the business of J. H. Love & Son 
moves to Greenfield, Iowa, to be manager for himself, 1884. 

Harris & McCabe are dealers in farm machinery. 

Our citizen, W. M. Moore is elected to the office of County Superintend- 
ent of Schools and J. L. Talbott is appointed by Sheriff Farrell as Deputy. 

C. E. Dinwiddle lays down his paint brush and paper hanging tools and 
is proprietor of a Variety Store. 

H. L. Marsh is Principle of School. Father Ryan is pastor of the 
Catholic Church. 

Young John Christopher takes a position as a helper at the new hard- 
ware store of Keffer & Co. 

Thomas Paul buys the fine home property of R. J. Brown. 



42 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



The Malvern Creamery is making about 200 pounds of butter a day, 
Swain & Wilson, managers. 

April 13, 1862, Mrs. Evans, later a resident of Des Moines, Iowa, who 
was then living in Washington, and the wife and two daughters of Chap- 
lain May of the Second Michigan Regiment, decorated many of the sold- 
iers graves at Arlington Heights. Congress took notice of this repeated 
action a few years, and made the ceremony national by making the day 
set. May 30th a legal holiday. In commemoration of the day our citizens, 
army comrades and young people take part to day. May 30th, 1884, in 
strewing flowers on the graves of the soldier dead and on the graves of 
dear friends resting in the silent city. 

Valentine Stang is our doctor of decrepit shoes. 

Quite an extensive business is being done at The Malvern Carriage Fac- 
tory, the names of purchasers are being weekly recorded. At the present 
writing it is Automobiles. Will it be in 1940, air ships instead? 

Our business man Walter Larison wants a home as well as a business 
and he finds a wife, Miss Laura Summers and they commence the journey 
May 29th, 1884, and go to housekeeping on 3rd Avenue. 

Grandmother Raines, a pioneer of 1856, celebrates her S4th birthday 
at the home of her son, A W. Raines. 

Lillie Barnet dies, a young womanly life goes out. 

A pleasant gathering of the graduating class of '82 of the Western 
Normal and intimate friends, at the home of Dr. Brothers, July 7th, 1884. 

A new industry in Malvern, Mrs. L. T. Buell and daughter, Mrs. Lottie 
Gray have fitted up three rooms above in their business building and are 
keeping three boys busy gathering osage leaves to feed to the young and 
ravenous growing silk worms that they have. When grown they com- 
mence weaving about themselves a silk fiber web that when finished is 
about the size of a peanut and is called a cacoon, from which they will 
realize a good price per pound. This interesting formula at Mrs. Buells 
is the foundation of the great silk industry of the world. 

D. E. Whitfield recently graduated from the Iowa State University has 
settled down for business at Atwood, Rawlins County, Kansas. 

Market quotations, August 13, 1884: Corn, new, 28c, Wheat 45c, Oats 
20c, Rye 40c, Potatoes 30c, Apples 45c, Eggs 10c, Choice Butter 15c, Lard 
10c, Bacon 10c. 

Miss Eva Copeland, daughter of Hon. W. H. Copeland of Vermillion, 
Dakota, is visiting in Malvern. The Hon. W. H. C. Is our Billy Copeland 
of the early days. 

Mr. Fred Davis, the survivor of the Wabash wreck at St. Charles, takes 
his first trip on the road since that erent, with some stock. The stock 
part of the train goes down through a small bridge and the stock killed, 
but the caboose car this time remains on the track. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 43 



Mr. Alvin Robey is Assistant Post Master. 

J. Degenhart buys the harness business of H. T. Richmond and a com- 
pany is formed to manufacture the patent horse collar lately invented by 
Mr. Richmond. 

Mabel Robey celebrates her 8th birthday by the presence at her parents 
home of her school mates and play companions: Flo Cottrell, Ella Cottrell, 
Helen Hunter, Nellie Angel, Susie Schaffer, Lillie Chantry, Stella Smith, 
Miggie Keffer, Sophia Retelsdorf, Carrie Wills, Nellie Churchill, Sadie 
Paddock, Minnie Dalton and Mamie Donner. 

Robt. Padget, an efficient helper and citizen for several years sells out 
his home and embarks in the mercantile business in Nebraska. 

The standard bearers of the two great political parties of the day, 
Blaine and Cleveland, are before the people for their suffrage, and pol- 
itics is the great absorbing theme of the days in our little burg. The safe- 
ty and stability of the nation depends upon our side winning, and the 
perspiration is increasing as the time draws nigh for the contest at the 
polls. The work is done, Cleveland is the winner and Blaine the loser. So 
engrossed with the business and pleasures of life, are we not losing our 
patriotic grip on the politics of the present day? 

In the presence of a loyal gathering of people at the Opera House, the 
evening of December 23, 1884, "Old Glory," a large silk banner with gold 
fringe and tassels, walnut staff and gold bronzed Eagle tip, was presented 
to Milton Summers Post, Grand Army of the Republic, by J. N., W. G. and 
H. W. Summers, three brothers of Milton Summers, and his daughter, 
Mrs. I. J. Swain. We give entire as it was given, Mrs. Swain's words of 
presentation and Commander James H. Wing's acceptance response. 

"Gentlemen of the Milton Summers Post: A score of years and more 
have passed since duty called you to leave your plows and work-shops and 
friends, and don your coats of blue, shoulder your guns, and with heavy 
hearts march to the scenes of battle. Sad were the partings given; many 
were the 'God bless you, my boy.' and many were the hardships you en- 
dured, but glorious was the result of your sacrifice. And when your work 
on the battlefield was done and your faces were homeward turned, there 
was but one thing to mar your happiness. Many of you left friends and 
comrades on Southern soil, and of them be it said, 'Well done, they have 
gained the highest honor ever paid to mortal man, — they died for their 
country.' And now, thanking you for the honor you have paid to one who 
gave his life for his country, we, his brothers and daughter, present the 
Milton Summers Post with this fiag, hoping you will ever stand ready to 
defend its stripes and stars, and that long and proudly 'may she wave o'er 
the land of the free and the home of the brave.' " 



44 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



"With pleasure I receive this flag, and in the name of the comrades of 
Milton Summers Post, I earnestly thank you for the honor shown us in its 
presentation; and we esteem it an especial pleasure to receive it from the 
daughter of the hero for whom our Post is named. To myself and com- 
rades this starry banner is like the Sun to the Persian; the Crescent to 
the followers of Mohammed; or, even the Cross to the Christian, — an em- 
blem of all in the present or in the future that is worth preserving, worth 
living for, worth striving after, and for which heroes will cheerfully sac- 
rifice all and will even pour out their life's dearest blood. Far-reaching 
and indeed sublime is the faith of the hero soldier, and on the honor and 
faith of such we accept this emblem, and promise ever to cherish and pro- 
tect the sacred ideal that this banner represents." 

This bit of a history sketch is the more interesting at this writing when 
the counterpart of this flag is to be held aloft on the historic ground of the 
old world in our own defense and the defense of mankind from the power 
and tyranny of militarism and kingly power. 

A last chance party is given by Jessie and Frankie Duncan. It is leap 
year 1884, and nearing its close. The young ladies invite the timid young 
men in and make the most of their leap year privileges. 

City, Church and Lodge directory for 1885. Wm. Black Mayor, Walter 
Larison Recorder, L. W. Boehner Treasurer, J. E. Skadan Assessor, Wm. 
Donner, Geo. McCabe, M. J. Higgins, James Churchill, J T. Ward, J. T. 
Brohard Councilmen, J. L. Talbott street Commissioner and Marshall. 
Masonic Lodge: M. J. Curtis, W. M.; G. E. Wetmore, Secretary. I. O. of 
O. F.: J. D. Graves, N. G.; Denny McHugh, Secretary. Churches: W. V. 
Jeffries, Presbyterian; G. W. Robey, Baptist; J. F. St. Clair, M. E. church. 
G. A, R. Post, A. J. Chantry, P. C; R. L. Gidley, Adgt. 

The Abbott Bros, start a broom factory. 

The Bridges Bros, have the picture gallery from McGregor for a while 
and turn the business over to Mr. S. E. Dearborn. 

Rankin succeeds Munson in the brick factory. Dr. H. H. Smith is our 
new tooth puller. J. T. Ward runs the Q. and P. M Campbell does the 
same with the Wabash. 

The white plague takes the life of young Mrs. John Barton. 

Mr. Major Barnes and wife are in Kansas where they can see the sun- 
flowers grow. 

J. R. Hubbard and family come from Illinois to make Iowa their home. 

Will Black and Paul Evans are students at Parsons College. Dave 
Layton is resident auctioneer of sales. 

The partnership of McCabe and Mellor hardware firm is dissolved and 
Mr. Mellor continues the business. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 45 

June 18, 1885, Roose and Wainwright take over the lumber business 
of R. A. Baird who is forced to give up on account of his health. Mr. 
Baird is an extra good type of a business man, and it is with regret that 
his many friends see him leave. 

R. S. Padget for many years the efficient and valued helper at the 
Pioneer Store goes to western Nebraska and starts in business for himself. 

Mrs. Frances S. Strahan after a long affliction and patient waiting for 
the end, the heart today, September 3, 1885, ceases to beat. 

The Bridges Bros, give a concert at the Opera House and old acquaint- 
ences and their late school companions are pleased at their success in their 
chosen work. 

The Central House is leased to Don Roland and renamed 'The Haws- 
brook.' It is a fine name, it will season the hash and make it taste better. 
Burglars visit the hardware store of McCabe & Co. and take an inventory 
of stock, make some choice selections of knives, razors and other fine 
goods. Later they were caught and paid the penalty. 

An unique character comes occasionally to see us, James Ballard who 
styles himself, the Red Oak poet. He rode into town today and gave 
recitations and song from the sidewalk, some of his own production in 
prose and poetry. Some of the boys induced him to remain and give an 
evening entertainment. They obtained the use of the upper story of the 
carriage factory and advertized for a crowd. A good sized audience greet- 
ed him with such hearty voice in appreciation of his efforts that he did 
his very best. The hat was passed at the close for a free will offering. 
Sixty three cents in good money, a few dozen buttons, screws and marbles 
was the harvest. He enjoyed the attention given him, and the boys could 
only be pardoned for their fun because of the pleasure it gave to Mr. 
Ballard. 

Will Mitchener who has been a helper at Boehner's Store resigns his 
position and Charlie Barnett takes his place. 

G. D. Keffer & Co. sell their business to M. J. Curtis but Mr. Keffer 
stays as manager. 1885 is a cold winter. Mrs. Martha Black the wife of 
our townsman, Wm. Black dies, a noble, christian woman. 

It is but a little while since little Eddie Campbell died and now the 
mother, the wife of P. M. Campbell is taken by death. 

C. H. Paddock, on account of the growing affliction of Asthma moves to 
western Nebraska, hoping the climate will afford him relief. 

John Dull, a newcomer is building a home in the north west part of 
town. 

Ed B. Brown ships a good hardware stock to Cortland, Nebr., and opens 
up for business. Geo. McCabe stays in Malvern buying interest in hard- 
ware store of M. J. Curtis. 



46 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



It ii Nellie Churchill's 8th birthday and some of her schoolmates sur- 
prise her, and have a jolly time. Those present Lillie Chantry, Carrie 
Wills, Mollie Harris, Midgie Keffer, Susie Schaffer, Flo Cottrell, Sophie 
Retelsdorf, Helen Hunt and May Churchill. 

There are cases of small pox in the Strahan neighborhood and the town 
quarantines against them for tWrty days. 

Thomas Madigan, the section boss of the Wabash and Mrs. Taylor are 
quietly married. 

By tunneling under the wall and floor, burglars get into the Farmers 
& Traders Bank and make the attempt to open the safe but fail and noth- 
ing of value taken. 

J. F. Christopher buys a home. Lewis O. Place and family move to Des 
Moines, Iowa, where A. D. Place, his brother now resides. 

During the stay with us as a teacher in the school two years ago an 
acquaintance was formed that culminates in the marriage today August 
18, 1885, at the home of G. W. F. Willey at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, of his 
daughter Miss Emma S. Willey to Mr. A. L. Young of Malvern. Mr. Willey 
and his daughter Miss Ida Willey soon follow and become residents of 
Malvern. 

J. W. Hollins is our baker. Jame Churchill in addition to other bus- 
iness has a wood, coal and feed yard. A grain elevator is being built on 
the Wabash road. 

Mr. Lute Bobbins, the owner of the Judkins House hotel property has 
been making some improvements and leases it to Frank Wilkinson. 

At the Myers home, John Hammon and Minnie Myers are married, 
November 26, 1885. 

E. B. Brown of The Leader who has been elected as County Auditor, 
transfers his interests to S. C. Hunter & Co. and takes up his work at 
Glenwood. 

J. F. Evans of Council Bluffs rents the Packing House for the season; 
M. J. Curtiss, Manager and C. C. Cottrell, Sr., Supt. of work. 

Jess Heiner and his old team of mules are doing their part in the work 
of the day. 

Peter Smith is owner and landlord of the Malvern House and the public 
gave it the name Uncle Peters Hotel. 

Malvern people as a part of the Nation, mourn with others the death 
of Ulysses S. Grant, July 23, 1885. 

Our citizen, Joseph Jacqua is a w»r veteran, having served fourteen 
years in the U. S. service. 

The public school opens up today, August 31, 1885. Prof. W. M. Ire- 
land, Principal; Miss Etta Brown, Mrs. F. A. Marsh, Miss Barbara Moles- 
worth, Miss Anna Jordan, assistants; the primary grades in the building 
on site of present school building and the higher grades in former Normal 
school building. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 47 

Dr. J. R. Scott of Des Moines, Iowa, is pleased with tlie outlook and be- 
comes a resident of Malvern. Dr. Eddy leaves Malvern and locates at 
Burnett, Nebr. 

Denny McHugh buys the Mrs. Moss property on west 4th Street. 
The youngsters are celebrating their birthdays. Georgie Robey's 12tli 
birthday, her friends Libbie Dull, May Paul, Jennie Brohard, Lillie rimith. 
Stella Page, Blanche Roberts, Cozie Curtis, Bessie Larison, Nellie Boehner, 
Fannie McCabe and Susie Schaffer come to help her celebrate the event. 

New Year's Day, 1886, a number of our young men formed themselves 
into an umbrella brigade, for the object as expressed in the following 
verse: 

"We in compliance 
With our alliance 
Assert in this production 
This association, is a combination 
For provender destruction." 
And each one, with an umbrella and a free lunch appetite, started out for 
the visits and the eats. They lightened the larder at about forty homes, 
before their hunger was appeased. The members engaged in this riotous 
raid were J. R| Foulks, Dr. Scott, Dr. Smith, J. W. Foulks, F. A. Paddock, 
J. F. Smith, Wm. Evans, John Larison, A G. Robey, Frank Bentley, J. H. 
Byerly and H. J. Baird. 

Rev. Merwin and family move to Tabor for the benefits of the college. 
Mr. A. E. Cook and wife choose Malvern as their abiding place. 

The Cantata of the Mikado will be rendered on the stage at The Opera 
House to night by the following cast of high class talent: 
DRAMATIS PERSONS 

Mikado of Japan Prof. W. M. Moore 

Nanki Poo (his son, a wandering Minstrel in love with Yum Yum) 

Mr. W. W. Fisher 

Ko Ko (Lord High Executioner of Titipu) Mr. W. D. Townsend 

Pooh Bah (Lord High Everything Else) Mr. J. R. Foulks 

Pish Tush (a Noble Lord) Mr. A. M. Brown 

Nee Ban Mr. Paul Evans 

Yum Yum Mattie J. Marsh 

Petti Sing Miss Ollie Taft 

Peep Bo Miss Emily Cottrell 

(3 sisters, wards of Ko Ko) 
Katisha (an elderly lady, in love with Nanki Poo) Mrs. A. E. Cook 

With Chorus of Girls, Guards and Nobles. 

All will appear in full Japanese costume, and the stage and scenery will 
be arranged especially for this occasion. 

Produced under management of Prof. W. D. Townsend. 



48 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

Musical Director, Prof. S. E. Dearborn. Miss Edith M. Evans, Pianist. 

General admission, 25c; Reserved seats, 35c; Children, 15c. 

Commence at 8:30 sharp. 

Mr. Eshelmen rents the north room in the bank block for a Clothing 
Store Stock. 

I. O. O. F. officers installed: O. H. Snyder N. G., John Knight V. G., W. 
M. Moore R. S., Wm. Wortz P. S., R. D. Hammond Treasurer, J. A. Mc 
Curdy Chaplain. 

Terrible snow and wind storms are blocking team and railroad travel. 

Market prices, January 13th, 1886: New Corn 20c, old 26c; Wheat 50c 
and 60c, Oats 20c, Rye 35c, Potatoes 35c, Eggs 17c, Butter 15c, Lard 8c, 
Bacon 8c, Hogs $3.00, Cattle $3.50 to $4.00, Butcher Stock $2.50. 

M. J. Curtis retires from the hardware business and the new firm is Mc 
Cabe & Co. Dr. Robert McNutt is a new comer. 

Mrs. Buell trades building and stock to Tom Lough for his farm in Ne- 
braska, and Mrs. Lough is business manager of millinery store. 

Wm. M. Evans is starting in the banking business at Randolph. 

Alvin Robey, our assistant Post Master is appointed as Railway Postal 
Clerk on route between Council Bluffs and St. Paul and his sister Miss 
Nettie takes his place. Irvin Skadan is implement wrestler at his father's 
store. 

Edwin M. Benson, after an illness of several months, dies at the home 
of his sister Mrs. J. K. DeWolf. 

March, 1886. Prof. Jarboe and his helpers, Denny McHugh, E. E. 
Bushnell, A. Wilkenson, Charles Hayes, G. A. Bushnell, John Knight, Ben 
Hawkins, E. E. Daugherty are making it pleasant for us with their sweet 
notes of melody. 

Some one to lead, led others to follow, from Henry County, Iowa, and 
we have a goodly number in Malvern from that locality. In June, 1886, 
the Henry County clans gathered on the lawn at the home of O. H. Snyder, 
who was the patriarch of the bunch, it having been his birthplace. There 
were present, as representatives, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Evans, Edith and 
Paul Evans, A. L. Young and wife. Prof. Willey, John Eshelman, A. E. 
Cook and wife, H, H. Smith and W. W. Fisher. Dr. Scott and Mrs. Anna 
Goodwin reported absent. After refreshments they enjoyed themselves 
in recalling reminiscences of the fatherland, listening to music of the 
band and in eating up all of Snyder's cherries. 

J. H. Hershey and wife of North Platte, Nebr., are visiting at the home 
of Al Hershey, his brother. Mr. Harry Hershey was one of that trio of 
young men who came to Malvern in an early day and Mrs. Hershey was 
Florence McCrary of the McCrary home in Malvern and our first assistant 
teacher on the opening of our public school. 

P. M. Campbell and Miss Minnie Neiman agree to travel life's pathway 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 49 

together. Mr. M. E. Boehner fixes up one of his buildings and goes Into 
the mercantile business. The packing Co. shipped 200,000 lbs. of meat 
to St. Louis last Friday. A new Clerk, Mr. Howard Dearborn at the Drug 
Store of Munger & Goodwin. 

Charlie Holmes takes Charlie Barnet's position at Boehner's. Dr. W. 
H. Otis of Elmo, Mo., and family move to Malvern with the highest recom- 
mendation to us from the Elmo people. Abbott Bros, add to their broom 
business the manufacture of broom handles. Geo. Mellor is our Jewelry 
Store man. 

The young people are mating up like robins in the spring time: D. E. 
Whitfield, Miss Lillie M. Brothers; John Byerly, Miss Ida Mitchener; F,. 
A. Paddock, Miss May Cleaver; Henry Mills, Miss Mary Holmes; Dr. J. R. 
Scott, Miss Ida M. Willey; all have permitted the minister to tie the tie 
that binds the lovers knot and have assumed the sacred obligations of a 
married life. 

J. H. Minnich is elected Principal of our schools. J. A. Waggoner is 
the new agent at the Q. R. L. Gidley receives his appointment as Post- 
master. Our soldier citizens and friends are to day in attendance at the 
reunion at Creston, Iowa. General Phil Sheridan meets with them, and is 
the center of interest, some of the boys were under his command during 
the days of strife. 

The young life of Dolly Bentley goes out, the summons come to young 
as well as old. Rev. W. O. Allen succeeds J. F. St. Clair after his three 
year pastorate at the M. E. Church.. 

Mrs. Harriet E. Smith, the mother of Wm., Jesse and Nobe Smith dies 
today, April 13th, 1886, and the remains taken to Lansing, Iowa, where 
they will rest beside her husband. Mrs. Martha M. Duncan, mother of 
Jessie and Frankie Duncan dies September 17th. 

About twenty of our young musical people are associated together as 
the Monday Night Club. Mr. L. P. Anderson comes in horseback to Sun- 
day evening church service and some stranger borrows his horse and 
forgets to return it. 

In enfeebled health, Rev. G. W. Robey has to bid farewell to his people 
as pastor and gets away to Tampa, his new home in the sunny land of 
Florida. 

Thanksgiving day service at the church, and family and friendly gather- 
ings, around the spread out dining tables in many homes. 

Our packing house has had to close its doors to business, and the citi- 
zens of the town are feeling it as a personal loss. The rapid building up 
of South Omaha at about the same time, the immense amount of capital 
invested in their plants and being the terminal of so many roads, they 
possess advantages our people cannot compete with. 

John O'Grady is the faithful watchman at the Q and Wabash crossing. 
News came up the street this morning that while swinging the gate for 
the Wabash he had broken his leg. Sympathy was aroused for Mr. O'Grady 



50 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



until we learned the particulars. John had two legs, but one of them was 
a cork leg and it was the cork leg that was broken. The blacksmith and 
the shoemaker soon made it as good as new. 

Geo. Wetmore sells his restaurant to Chester Berkhimer. J. B. Rose of 
Villisca takes charge of the creamery business. Rev. Geo. H. Brown is 
pastor of the Baptist Church. 

Not absent a day from his work at the shop of J. K. DeWolf for three 
years, George Rockafellow takes a vacation. (To be continued next week.) 

Early in the evening of January 19th, 1887, the dreaded cry of fire, fire, 
came ringing up first avenue, and business men rushed from their business 
and people from their homes to the scene. Fire had broken out in one of 
six frame buildings in what was called Norris Block and the fire spread 
quickly in both directions and soon was a sheet of flame. Our present 
organization of faithful fire boys was not in existence and the fire seemed 
to laugh at aie feeble efforts of the bucket brigade in trying to quench it. 
It was evident that the entire row of buildings was doomed to destruction 
and all hands turned to save the buildings across the street, that the in- 
tense heat was now scorching the stores of Hunger and Goodwin and Alex- 
ander and crumbling the thick plate glass of L. W. Boehner and Co.'s fine 
brick store building. In the frame row, there were only two business 
places, McCabe & Co. Hardware and M. E. Boehner Groceries, the upper 
rooms being partly occupied as sleeping rooms and residence apartments. 
Mr. Douglas and family lived in the Glynn building and the sick and help- 
less mother was hurriedly carried from the bed to safety. Little compari- 
tively was saved from the homes and sleeping rooms. Faithful watches on 
top and about the buildings across the street were kept busy to quench the 
flying firebrands. To these toilers with the water buckets was due the 
saving of an immense value of other property. No insurance on buildings 
destroyed owned by Wm. Norris, John Glynn, Hayes Bros., M. E. Boehner 
and James Churchill. Loss on stock of McCabe & Co. and M. E. Boe^^ncr 
nearly made good by insurance. 

Note. — The Historian has been pleasantly accused a time or two of 
throwing items in the wrong box. The reader will kindly help, and place 
them on the Calendar in right order of time, and take the narrative of the 
event as if the error had not been made. 

W. W. Fisher is a new business man with a dry goods store. Mr. John 
Flanagan and E. Witt move in and become citizens of the town. A change 
in business, it is now Keffer & Wainwright. 

P. M. Campbell, the efiicient agent of the Wabash accepts a position 
with the Union Pacific and G. K. Vauhn takes his place. 

A suicide of a stranger at the Q Depot, this morning. Letters upon his 
person gave his name as Jacob Trion, and they indicated that remorse for 
some crime committed in the past was cause of the act; no clue to the 
location of any friends. The coroner's orders to bury the body as found, 
was carried out and in his blood besmeared clothing, in overcoat and rub- 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 51 



ber boots, his body was consigned to a paupers grave in our cemetery. That 
it was done in such a manner is a disgraceful bit of history. 

Wm. Bennett buys an interest in the Abbott broom factory and they plan, 
to enlarge the business. 

The revival meetings conducted by Mrs. Libby at the M. E. Church close 
with lasting influence for good to many lives. Mr. Allen, the pastor of the 
church was so pleased with the evangelist that later on he persuaded her 
to assume the name of Mrs. Allen. 

D. W. C. Kline a long time resident of Malvern dies at his home in Mary- 
ville, Mo., and has a resting place in the Malvern Cemetery. Jennie Wise 
Davis dies at the home of James H. Smith. 

Two of our young people formerly, so well and favorably known and 
liked that we go over the line and announce the marriage of Frank Bent- 
ley and Miss Nettie Robey, who will be at home at Syracuse, Kansas. 

News reaches friends that our former respected business man of Mal- 
vern, R. A. Baird is dead at his home at Garden City, Kansas, May 4th, 
1887. This morning the life of Richard L. Gidley slowly ebbs away, a 
good citizen performing faithfully and honestly his part of the guard duty 
of the town, an early comer, and finding a wife here. Miss Sena Mabee, to 
whom he was married in 1878. 

Prof. Wilbur Davis is this year principal of our school and Laura Bish- 
op, Grace Welch, Marie Butterfield and Florence Cook assistants. 

Mrs. Gidley succeeds her husband as postmistress and Alice Brothers 
is assistant. 

A camp of sons of veterans established and named Malvern Hill. M. A. 
Chantry Captain, J. E. Johnson 1st Lieutenant, L. G. Newman 2nd Lieu- 
tenant, R. F. Salyers Orderly Seargt. 

Prof. Willey while taking a walk to day up the Wabash, discovers a 
broken rail in the track near Mr. Boston's. The south bound passenger 
would soon be due. He places a handkerchief signal on a stick at the 
break and hurries up the track and waving another; the train is stopped 
and a terrible accident probably averted. 

Our National holiday for 1887 was properly observed and a big and 
patriotic crowd in attendance. C. W. Black, President of the day; J. K. 
DeWolf, Marshall with Ed Cleaver and J. T. Ward assistants; Captain C. 
S. Howard the eloquent orator of the day. The great attraction about 
dinner time was the roasted ox and the invitation for all to bring their 
cup and plate for a piece of the big roast and a cup of coffee free of charge. 

Dr. H. H. Smith, our dentist lays down his forceps for a few days and 
takes unto himself a wife. Miss Flo Brothers. 

Mr. Onist Larson in the employ of W. M. McCoy has been able to send 
for wife and son in Denmark and they meet today after three years of 
separation. 

The funeral service of little Edith Barton is being held to day, attract- 
ing much interest from her being the victim of ptomaine poison, at the 



52 BRIEF HISTORY OP MALVERN 

home of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis. Efficient medical service saved the lives of 
Mrs, Curtis, Mrs. Sweetzer and John Barton the father. 

Miss Emma Bartlett promises to obey Mr. Fred F. Smith in the mar- 
riage vows. Chas. Larison buys the J. W. Bartlett home and Walter Lar- 
ison sells his to H. T. Richmond. 

Mrs. J. H. Meeks dies. Ed Cleaver buys out the meat market of J. K. 
DeWolf. 

The family of M. J. Curtis, so long residents of Malvern leave for Wa- 
keeny, Kansas, and A. H. Landis and family move into town and become 
owners of the M. T. Davis home. 

Colyer Boston succeeds Alice Brothers at the post office. 

M. E. Boehner after a lingering illness dies to day December 6, 1887. 
Mr. Boehner was one of the earliest settlers of the town and an honored 
citizen. 

Rev. S. J. McCormick is called to the pastorate of the Baptist Church. 

Quite an important event in the history of the town is the opening up 
and occupancy of the new brick block of elegant store rooms just com- 
pleted by L. W. Boehner & Co., R. E. K. Mellor and R. W. Hyde on first 
avenue, and also that it is the consumation of the plans of the pioneer 
movers from the lower town to the higher ground on First Avenue and 
unites the interests of the whole town for the common good. 

W. G. Wagner succeeds his brother J. A. Wagner as Q Agent. 

A. J. Chantry is our Representative to the State House. 

Mr. Anderson swaps the Central Hotel with a Mr. Parker for Missouri 
land. Henry Stich has charge of the picture gallery, formerly owned by 
Mr. Dearborn. 

A memorable event in the amusement column was the masquerade par- 
ty at the O. F. Hall, participated in by all the pleasure loving people of 
the town, in gay and fanciful costume. 

Stone and Belden buy the brick and tile business of O. T. Rankin. 

February 20th, 1888, Mrs. I. B. Ringland dies, rather a sudden sum- 
mons, and the only ones at home were Mrs. Mellor and the son Harvey, 
Mr. Mellor being in Vermont at the bedside of his sick parents, Mrs. Wil- 
son at Blakeman, Kansas, but did not receive telegram until too late to 
come; Mrs. Smith and her husband in California. It was a sad home com- 
ing to the daughters when they again got together under the roof of their 
childhood home, with the mother gone. This home was the starting point 
of the first funeral procession from our little village in 1870, when little 
Willie, the baby toddler of 17 months, was in the casket for burial. 

We are feeling the results of the strike of engineers and firemen on the 
Q. Freight traffic entirely suspended and mail and passenger trains 
nearly so. 

Mr. Davis brings his plant for publication of the Iowa Leader to Mal- 
vern. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 53 

« 

Uncle John Williams dies, happy in the thought that he had some treas- 
ures, laid up over beyond if not the owner of them here. 

Geo. Rockafellow opens up a meat market of his own. J. R. Hubbard 
buys the dray line of J. L. Talbott. 

April 27th, 1888. The first observance of Arbor Day in Malvern, by a 
pleasing program of exercises and tree planting by the high school stu- 
dents. 

H. G. Rising who set the type for Volume 1 Number 1 of the Leader is 
greeting friends here to day. He is the publisher of a daily paper at 
Chickamauga, Tenn. 

James J. Wilson accepts a position as one of the working force at the 
First National Bank. 

A base ball game is the attraction today, between the lads and their 
dads, the lads are the winners. 

Death closes the eyes of little Nell today, thirteen years the span of her 
life, the idol of the mother and the pride of many friends old and young. 
The sympathy of the community goes out to the stricken mother, Mrs. M. 
M. Angel, as friends lay away in the tomb, the centered affections of her 
own very life. The husband and the little lad, the son, had aiready been 
taken, and now the daughter has gone. 

A new business firm F. S. Leighty, the corner grocer. Mr. Seeger is 
improving his mill by putting in machinery for grinding wheat. 

Mr. C. H. Withnell of Omaha comes to Malvern for a wife. Miss Alfa- 
relta Cleaver. 

As an aid in suppression of intemperance an I. O. G. T. Lodge is organ- 
ized and officers elected, Thomas Paul, G. H. Roose, Mrs. Kate Keffer, W. 
H. Dolph, Miss Blanche Roberts, Mrs. Landis, L. G. Marsh and Paul Evans. 

Uncle Peter Smith, the landlord of the Malvern House for many years, 
completes life's journey. 

Pet Rickabaugh is seventeen today and a bevy of young friends help 
her celebrate. 

Frank Strahan and Miss Lou Larison, two of our young people marry 
and start for their new home at Wayne, Nebr. Our bachelor Charlie Din- 
widdle concludes to take a partner and weds Mrs. Martha D. Morton of 
Nebraska City and Albert B. Adams and Addie L. Graves march to the 
same music. Geo. Salyers and Miss Ella Kayton are united in the holy 
bonds of marriage. 

Miss Josie Wetmore goes to the Woman's Medical College at Chicago 
to complete her studies as a doctor. 

The home of John Hatfield burns this evening with most of the house- 
hold goods. 

A. D. Place a business man of Malvern from 1873 to 1881, dies at his 
home in Riverside, California. 



54 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

Robt. Mellor sells out his business to A. J. Kronsbein. Will Evans and 
Miss Georgie Moore of Red Oak get married and start on their wedding 
trip. 

It is lively times in the old town these days with political rallies and 
torchlight processions, and martial music. The winner Cleveland in 
the last battle is now the loser. 

W. H. Abbott, John O'Grady and John Robrahn are stockholders in the 
Malvern Cigar factory. 

I. J. Swain, in order to be nearer his work sells his nice home in town, 
to Walter Larison and moves out to the farm. Frank Beam succeeds G. 
K. Vaughan at the Wabash. James Maguire an employee of the Q at Mal- 
vern and Miss Mary L. Cussick are married at Melrose, Iowa. 

Land values have advanced some since 1888. Rev. Merwin sells his farm 
near Lawrence Station to J. W. Barnes for $22 per acre. 

A. J. Chantry purchases the nice home of O. H. Snyder. John Knight 
and Miss Rose Barnet are married today at the Barnet home. 

The Christian Church is completed and dedicated to day December 2 8, 
1888, another temple of worship. 

1889. It is now twenty years since the coming of the covered wagon 
and the first start of the town. The lone building erected out in the weed 
pasture, has been the nucleus around which has grown many more. The 
lonesome view and the bright vista of the imagination of better things to 
come, has been realized. The helpers and business associates, the school 
and scholars, the churches, fine homes and green grass lawns arc all here 
now. 

Knights of Pythias Lodge instituted and officers elected, A. E. Cook. 
G. D. Keffer, J. P. Munger, W. Larison, W. G. Wagner, W. H. Otis, G. 
C. Boston, C. E. Holmes, J. R. Hubbard and W. H. Byers. 

W. D. Evans retires from the active duties of The Farmers and Traders 
Bank, turning the business over to son and daughter. Will and EdiLh 
Evans, who are qualified by long experience as helpers to manage its 
affairs. 

J. Degenhart purchases Thos. Lough's business building and fits it up 
for his business. 

J. M. Strahan and Mrs. M. W. Guil!'ord are united in marriage at Glen- 
wood by Rev. S. J. McCormick. 

The first annual meeting of The Farmers Institute of Mills County is 
held at Malvern. Town election held and the following officers were 
elected: H. Barnes Mayor, J T. Ward Recorder. C. F. Goodwin Treasurer, 
S. Wainwr'ght and J. K. DeWolf councilmen. 

Irving Skadan and Miss Jessie Duncan take a joy ride to Red Oak and 
the Presbyterian minister soon performs the ceremony that makes them 
husband and wife. W. H. Byers buys the H. Barnes property and starts 
out on the highway of business life. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 55 



Grace and Harry Landis had a gathering at their parents home last 
Tuesday evening as per list below of youngsters then, but now older grown. 
There were present Ella, Flo and Katie Cottrell, Susie, Bee and Dell 
Schaffer, Midgie Keffer, Mabel and Elwood Barrick, Paul and Sophie Ret- 
elsdorf, Pearl Mellor, Helen Mather, Mamie Donner, Maud Norton, Ralph 
Roberts, Frank Higgins, Carrie Wills, Dakin Miller, Frank Goodwin, Will 
Edmonds, Grant Lewis, Kittle and Robie McCormick, Oscar McCoy, Min- 
nie and Stella Smith, Retta and George Perdue, Anna Harvey, Charlie and 
Harry Cleaver and Ralph Brothers. 

G. E. Wetmore is erecting a building for his business. Dr. Marsh and 
J. T. Ward succeed O. H. Snyder as pharmacists. 

R. F. Norton of Kellogg, Iowa, buys an interest in the Creamery and 
soon has it going in good shape. The price of fat cattle is very low, friends 
who shipped last week had enough to pay freight and commission and get 
home alive. 

C. B. Christy and family become residents of Malvern. 

J.R. Hubbard buys the Bowman property for a home. Mr. T. D. Gib- 
son buys property in the Bank Block, takes off his coat and invites cust- 
omers to come and see him for groceries. 

Fred Lockwood is the new helper at Larison Bros. shop. 

April 4th, 1889. A notable social event took place commemorating the 
fiftieth anniversary of wedded life as per invitation cards sent out giving 
Mils announcement: Our Fiftieth Anniversary, Capt. H. E. Boehner and 
Louisa H. Moir, married at Cowes, Isle of Wight, England, April 4, 1839. 
Golden Wedding at Malvern, Iowa, Friday, April 4, 1889. Reception, 
Friday and Saturday. April 4 and 5, from 10 a. m. to 6 p. m. No presents. 
Rev. Mr. Mackey of Council Bluffs, tied the knot anew that had held for 
fifty years. The relatives at home and from abroad made a goodly com- 
pany at the ceremony. Throngs of friends attended the reception day3 
and added their hearty congratulations to the young bride and groom. 

A new base ball team has been organized: Capt. F. A. Marsh, Catche- 
W. A. Black, Pitcher W. M. Evans, 1st base Ed. B. Brown, 2nd base John 
Gainor, 3rd base F. A. Marsh, Short stop H. A. Baird, left field Ed M.-- 
Curdy, center field C. E. Holmes, right field Harry Dull. The sportixTs: 
editor of the Leader says: "This club is a good one and ought to be able 
to mop up the soil with the village clubs round about." These boys are 
now older grown and business men, scattered abroad striving to catch 
the bails of prosperity and success, that come Hying their way. May they 
all be successful and honest players in the contests of life. 

Roose & Wainwright sell lumber business to Iowa Lumber Co., Mr. G. 
E. Poyneer Manager. Dr. Otis buys W. E. Bartlette's residence. 

Death takes Nettie, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Dunn and Philip 
Kryselmier a resident of Malvern since 1879. The Knights of Labor Mal- 
vern Lodge officiate at Mr. Kryselmier's funeral service. 



56 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Bartlett leave us after several years residence here. 

An election in favor of a two per cent tax in aid of the Tabor and North- 
ern Railroad carried 9 8 for, 56 against. 

The death toll of two more residents of Malvern, Mr. B. L. Hays and 
Mrs. John Hatfield. 

S. N. Shanks a new comer buys the Shuman property. Mrs. Foster of 
Hastings purchases the Wilkinson House hotel for $2000. 

The sympathy of the town is aroused in aid of the Johnstown, Penn., 
flood sufferers and $122.54 is sent them. 

The Misses Mamie and Nellie Boehner are quite popular business women 
as the lady grocers. 

G. C. Seeger trades his little mill property with Peck and Rogers for 
land. 

Church directory: Rev. M. McConnell Christian Church, M. R. Harned 
M. E. Church, S J. McCormick Baptist Church, W. V. Jeffries Presbyterian 
Church, Father Cook Catholic Church. 

The Perfection End Gate Co. shipped out a car load of their gates to 
Deere Wells & Co. 

Mr. John Dyson is our representative on the board of County Supervis- 
ors with H. B. Cheney and F. F. Daitschler. 

The school board change the time of school year from 8 to 8 V2 months. 

Foulks Bros, sell their harness business to Wm. Wortz and Charlie Cook 

The littie two year old lad of Mr. and Mrs. John Barrett falls into a 
boiler of hot water and death soon comes to the little sufferer. 

Nicholas Schmittroth is our maker of bread and cakes. 

Foulks Bros, have completed their fine new brick building on the east 
side of First Avenue and the new Clothing Store firm of Baker and Knee- 
land open out and commence business. With only a few changes they arc 
at this writing as Kneeland and Kneeland the oldest continuous firm of 
the long list of Malvern merchants. 

Roose and Wainwright repurchase their old business of The Iowa Lum- 
ber Co. after three months of travel and investigation, and settle down 
again as residents of Malvern. 

B. F. Buffington & Son open up in the banking business in their new 
building on the east side of First avenue. Charlie Buffington assumes ,ihe 
working part of the business. 

Collyer Boston resigns his position at the Post Office and becomes a 
salesman at the new Clothing Store. Miss Rose Mabee succeeds him at 
the post office wicket with her sunny smiles or sunny frowns as the case 
might be. 

A family reunion to day of unusual character and interest occurs at the 
home of Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Graves when their family of nine children 
were all together for the first time in their lives, some of the older ones 
having gone out from the parental roof before the younger ones were 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 57 



born. They are now all of them for this gathering around the spread out 
dining table of the parents home. 

The old settlers had such a good time last year 1888, that they meet 
with us again. President Mickelwait ably directed the affairs of the re- 
union last year and President Clark of Council Bluffs is at the helm this 
year. A special train on the Wabash brought three crowded coaches of 
pleasure seekers and Dalbeys Band. The program of the day: Music by 
The Malvern Glee Club and the band, Rev. Geo. C. Rice invokes divine 
blessing upon the gathering, W. S. Lewis address of welcome, John N. 
Baldwin delivers the annual address. All could not participate in the 
program of entertainment, but when the hundreds of picnic dinners were 
spread there were none but what thought they were qualified to take part. 
After dinner Rev. Crofts read a poem written for the occasion, W. H. M. 
Pusey gave a short address. Visiting and music lor a while closed the 
exercises ot a very pleasant and enjoyable gathering. 

Tom Butler buys John Blades home. Our country neighbors and towns 
people have been helping with the displaj'^ of our county products at the 
Blue Grass Palace at Creston where many of our people are going to day. 

W. M. Lewis who has been for 6 years a diligent student of the art 
preservative at the Leader print rooms, graduates with honor and goes 
out, seeking wider fields. 

We say good bye to O. H. Snyder and family as they move to Platts- 
mouth, Nebr., we shall miss them. A Mr. Kennedy of Villisca is killed by 
the passing of the fast mail train at the Q station. This calls to mind the 
death of E. H. Mabee, the well liked agent at the Q, who was by the reck- 
less bumping of the switching engine, thrown from the top of a car and 
so terribly injured that death came December 11, 1877. 

E. F. Korns of Phillipsburg, Kas., formerly a newspaper man in Mal- 
vern is here shaking hands with old time friends. 

As we read the tributes of esteem and respect of W. D. Evans and A. 
B. Sisson to the memory of Mr. ('. A. Donner, we mention our error in 
previous record made, that should have been placed at this date, Novem- 
ber 3, 1889 instead. 

Thanksgiving service for benefits and blessings of the year past is held 
at Baptist Church, Rev. C. M. Ward preaching the sermon. 

Horace DeWolf is thirteen to day and his playmates gather and help 
him celebrate. 

G. C. Boston and Hattie Wilkinson agree to walk the ways of life to- 
gether. 

Geo. Mellor moves his business into his fine new store room, north of 
Buffington Bank. James Maguire buys W. G. Wagner's home and Samuel 
Shutterly buys Dinwiddle's property. Frank Goodwin goes into business 
at Missouri Valley. 



58 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN , 

Plucky Tabor wins and railroad connections are made between the Col- 
lege town and Malvern. In the early days Tabor was a well known station 
on the road from slavery to freedom, and passengers were carried free. 
Davis & Cunningham are the first shippers of live stock over the Tabor 
and Northern. 

1890 records A. H. Landis purchases the Greeson property for a home. 

Rev. McCormick is called as pastor of the Baptist Church. 

A daughter is left at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Hubbard. 

Miss Ethel L. Norris and Charles W. Bigger are married today at the 
Norris home. Frank Hough takes his position as Jeweler at Munger & 
Goodwin Store. 

W. A. Barkus and family become residents of Malvern and Mr. Barkus 
opens a laundry in Churchill block on 3rd street. 

January 23, 189 0, Malvern Creamery price list: Cream 15c, Eggs 12c. 
Live Chickens 4i/^c, Live Turkeys 7c, Live Ducks 5c, Live Geese 50c each. 
Old Roosters 10c each and they sell the feathers at 5c pound . In these 
days of H. C. L. we might wish ourselves back in those good old days 
when old roosters were on the market at ten cents each. 

Good Templars Lodge elect officers: Miss Eva Landis C. T., Miss Ella 
Miller V. T., Miss Nannie Roose Secretary, Clyde Wills F. Sec, Miss Chatlis 
Guilford Treasurer, Miss Ida Roose Chaplain, Geo. Cleaver Marshall, 
Ralph Brothers Guard, Obb Raines Sentinel, May Paul Organist. 

We go out over the border to make record of the death o; I'oriner resi- 
dents of Malvern, Mrs. Sweetzer at her later home in Sacramento, Calif., 
who was for eighteen years a history maker for good in her home in Mal- 
vern; of Mrs. Arthur Brown, nee Miss Nettie Rhodes at Portland, Ore., 
and Mrs. Kryselmier in her Malvern hom.e. 

Another fire breaks out in the Abbott & Gavitt broom lactory down on 
3rd Street, burning quickly, the family of Wesley Petty barely having time 
to escape. Mr. Barkus' laundry goods mostly saveu, i^osses were Mr. 
Churchill on building, Foulks Bros, on goods stored, G. Schuckmeils]:a 
shoe repair shop and Petty and Barkus on household goods. 

The Tabor and Northern Railroad commence doing business for Uncle 
Sam in carrying the mails. 

The early ones down town Saturday morning were horrified to see a 
human form hanging from the front of E. B. Brown & Co. Ctore. It was 
an effigy of the noted McGinty. 

John Robrahn builds brick veneered residence south of M. E. Church. 
Frank Day and his mother move L'rom Strahan to Malvern. 

G. D. Keffer and family move to Hastings to take charge as manager of 
Kronsbeins branch store. George has proved to be a stayer there and at 
this writing is driving away at the same line of business. 

Miss Frazier is elected principal of our schools. R. E. K Mellor, a long 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 59 

time business man here, with his family start a new business and a home 
at Wayne, Nebr. 

Miss Katie Kline takes the place of Miss Pet Rickabaugh with Boehner 
Mercantile Co. 

The best medical skill is not able to save the life of little Bertie Munger 
who dies to day. 

Dr. Campbell has completed his new office building on the ground floor 
on 1st avenue. 

Some of the young folks who surprise Georgie Smith on her birthday 
are Nellie Churchill, Annie Moore, Duck and Maud Wilkinson, Maud 
Vandevert, Ollie and Hopie Gavitt, Elsie Chantry, Maud Raines, Mabel 
Wetmore, Eva Lockwood, Maud Landis, Hazel Campbell. 

W. H. Byers and Miss Jennie Mabee form a marriage partnership. 

Quite a number of our people are attending the Council Bluffs Chau- 
tauqua. 

The stork leaves a bunch of three babies ?.t the home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Jess Heiner, but they stay only a few days. 

Mills County Normal Institute is held in the high school building, with 
rood i'.ttcndance and an Instructive program of work. 

H. H. Stich purchases the picture gallery of Mr. Tolman for whom he 
has been manager. 

The reunion of the surviving comrades of the 29th Iowa Infantry on 
August 12th and 13th was a memorable event for them, and also for those 
from other regiments and states who took part with them in the glad 
gathering. From the register of names of those present, so many have 
since been mustered out, that only a small company could now be present 
at roll call. 

The little kindergarten folks who have been under the care and training 
of Miss Griffith assisted by Mrs. Ed Brown for a while, separate today. 

Miss Blanche Roberts and L. W. Boehner are married today at the home 
ci Mis. Ruth Roberts and are off on a tour of travel. 

R. F. Norton purchases the entire interests of the Creamery. John 
Dyf.on Jr. is one of the helpers at the post office. 

Wm. Marshall formerly in business here returns and buys the bakery 
of Mrs. Wilkinson and combines the two, bakery and meat shop. 

Rev. G. C. Waynick unites in marriage this 22nd day of September, 
1890, at the home of her mother Mrs. Mat Boehner, her daughter Nellie 
and John R. Foulks. 

The Mills County Fair has just closed its gates on its exhibits for the 
year 1S90, and has a balance on the credit side. 

Death calls Thomas Bonham, of firm of Bonham & Hammond, who dies 
at the home of his son in Council Bluffs, and laid to rest in our silent city 
ol" the dead. 



60 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



Lodge and Church directory for 1890: Masonic, H. H. Norton, W. M.; 
W. J. C. Smith, Secretary. L O. O. F., F. A. Marsh, N, G,; Wm, Wortz, 
V. G.; Thos. Hawkins Jr., Secretary. K. of P.: Jesse Smith, C. C.; C. E, 
Holmes, V. C; F. M. Beam, Rec. K. of L. Assembly Hall over Retels- 
dor Tailor Shop. G. A. R.: J. M. Johnson, P. C.; Thos. Paul, Adjt. Sons 
of V. Malvern Hill Camp, J. E. Johnson, Capt. I. O. G. T.: Katie Kline, 
C. T. ; Nannie Norton Secretary. Church Pastors: M. A. Hampton, Chris- 
tian Church; C. M. Ward, Methodist; W. J. Watson, Baptist; D. B. Flem- 
ing, Presbyterian. A. Hershey, Mayor. 

A pair of bright boys are left at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Cook. 

Floral Hall at Fair Grounds burned last night, cause unknown. 

Mrs. Betts, a business woman, buys the Ringland home on Douglas 
Street, with a view of making it a hotel. This was the first start of the 
Cottage which has had a number of landladies and landlords since Mrs. 
Betts dedicated it to the traveling public. But its doors are still open 
for the weary and hungry ones. 

The Woody Bros, entertainment, with whom are the Bridges brothers, 
Malvern boys, given last evening, was very much enjoyed by our music 
loving people and pleased at the part taken on the program by the Bridges 
boys. 

A. H. Earhart buys C. B. Christy residence. 

Robt. Hammond sells his Peaceville home and is looking around for 
a little piece of ground inside the Corporate limits of Maivern. 

Our former citizen and buiness man, Rev. Wallace, the marrying par- 
son, is yet alive and at the business, having just married his 807th couple 
at his home town of Clarinda. 

Nard Byers and W. A. CroAv are putting up a blacksmith shop west of 
Skadan's implement house. 

G. H. Roose is building a nice cottage home on Center Street, half way 
up the hill. 

Rev. Watson and Henry Baird, as pilots for the writer and twenty seven 
of his Sunday school boys, have a rabbit hunt and roast over the camp fire 
for a beautiful December day picnic down on the Nishna. The boys then, 
now men grown will remember the jolly time we had if they do not have 
a snap shot picture of the gathering. 

Items of 1891: Lew McDill and Dell Schaffer are helpers at Gibson's. 
A little band of the Omahas, a remnant of the red men, are camping to 
day down on Silver Creek. A baby daughter comes into the family at the 
Watson home. Geo. F. Salyers retires ivom. the mercantile business ;.nd 
goes back to the farm. Milton Summers Post call special memorial meet- 
ing as tribute to the memory of General Wm. T. Sherman who answers the 
roll call of death. 

The Christian Endeavor Convention of Mills County and Tabor is held 
at the Presbyterian Church. An enthusiastic gathering gives an impetus 
for a greater devotion to the Master's service. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 61 

Town election held: John R. Foulks, Mayor; John R. Christopher, Re- 
corder; C. F. Goodwin, Treasurer; A. J. Chantry and James Churchill, 
Councilmen; J. L. Talbott, Street Commissioner. 

J. R. Hubbard buys a farm near Tabor and sells his dray line to Chas. 
Duncan. B. L. Byers buys Geo. Dixon's property. 

Miss Josie Wetmore, who commenced her medical studies in Dr. Camp- 
bell's office, now completes the three year course with honor and credit at 
the Women's Medical College at Chicago, receives her diploma and is ap- 
pointed interne at the hospital for women and children in that city. 

C. C. Reid takes a position with Marsh and Ward. The Malvern Cream- 
ery furnishes the butter for the banquet tables at the opening of The 
Grand Hotel at Council Bluffs. 

Dr. Marsh retires from business and is hunting a place for a home and 
the practice of his profession. 

Charlie Burr sells his home to Mr. Ryan. A. C. Fulton, the operator at 
the Q. and Jennie Cain marry and they too are prospecting for business 
and a home. 

Buckley succeeds Connor at the Q. and Cal Berryman comes back to 
Malvern. The Presbyterian people build a parsonage on Chase Street. 

Miss Minnie Johnson is the only graduate from the High School this 
year, 1891, and the alumni of the high school have their first meeting. 
Miss Maggie Black, President. 

Our townsman, G. H. Roose is an enthusiastic dog fancier, and when 
not busy at the yards is selling or buying dogs. He sells his old dog, the 
head of his kennell for $175. and soon after he trades a likely pup he has 
and the $175 in cash for a Mrs. dog, which he confines in stockade for a 
bit, and when he comes again she has dug an outlet under the foundation 
and is away. The entire police force of the town, aided by the citizens 
soon discover her hiding place under a neighbors porch and is taken cap- 
tive, and quiet and order is again restored. 

Our business neighbor Eugene Bushnell goes a little way out in the 
country and finds a wife, Miss Mary Montgomery, and has a neat little 
nest of a home on east hill ready for her. 

Prof. C. L. Brill issues "The New West," a monthly paper in the in- 
terests of the business college. 

We step over the border to make record of the death of James Newton 
Summers, better known by his many friends as "Newt." 

Alice Brothers is bookkeeper and John Roe takes Will Zanders place 
at Paddock's Store. 

S. Burrus and family become residents of the village and have been 
stayers and workers for the best interests of the town. 

Hon. W. S. Lewis presents a big sized "Old Glory" to the town council. 



62 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

a handsome and patriotic gift, that they may not forget that they have a 
country and a flag. 

Our educational guides for the youngsters for the coming year: Prof. 
Joubert, May Miller, Emma Brown, Laura Roe and Bessie Mitchener. 

Paul Evans has been getting married and brings his bride to his par- 
ents' home on a visit. 

A young lad who tips the scale at ten pounds is making his head quar- 
ters at the home of Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Boehner. 

Miss Alberta Follett thinks well of Warren Chantry, and has her name 
changed to Mrs. Chantry. Miss Emily Cottrell and Charlie Holmes are 
quietly married at the Cottrell home. 

Building operations are active. They are fitting up the upper rooms of 
the high school building for Brill's business college and he is building a 
home near by; Walter Larison a new home; Bairds new business building; 
Jas. J. Wilson a residence and F. S. Leighty an addition to his store. 

Another mover with a canopy top wagon came through town with a 
team of cows, an excellent propelling power and carrying with them a 
supply of food and drink. 

Miss Faristina Gerrish, the whistling soloist had an appreciative audi- 
ence both morning and afternoon as she gave her entertainment from the 
platform on the fair grounds, the fourth. Her ease and ladylike appear- 
ance upon the rostrum, dispelled what prejudice there might have been 
against a lady whistler, as an entertainer. 

Rev. Fleming performs the ceremony that unites Violet Shank and John 
W. Hunt. Miss Lizzie Guilford and J. E. Cleaver are united in wedlock 
at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Strahan and Mr. E. A. Stone and Mrs. 
Marshall are tied by the same tie. 

The marriage festivities and the funeral procession following. Mrs. Mc 
Curdy dies. A. C. Fulton, the husband of Jennie Cain, who were married 
in Malvern but a short time ago dies at his home in Texas. Dr. W. H. 
Otis, the attending physician for the Whiteside children having the diph- 
theria, takes the disease himself and his own life is taken in the conscien- 
tious discharge of the duties of his profession. Mr. G. W. Ewing and Mr. 
Hertz are two more added to the death list. 

Dud Rickabaugh is one of the helpers at Gibson's, Nellie Robinson at 
Paddock's and J. C. Tipple with Boehner Mercantile Co. 

T. J. Wilson buys the Al Hershey home and A. C. Blakeley the Hunter 
property, north of Dr. Campbells. 

Dr. C. A. Love and family from St. Louis come to Malvern and the 
doctor takes up the practice of Dr. Otis. 

Franchise is granted by the town of Malvern to L. W. Boehner and 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 63 



J. D. Paddock for the erection and installing of an Electric Light and 
Power Plant. 

J. T, Ward sells his business to Dr. Brothers and C. C. Reid. Poe Rick- 
abaugh sells his home to J. E. Cleaver and naoves to Council Bluffs. 

Scott Lewis moves to Glenwood. This part of the country has been his 
stamping place with bare feet as a lad, and shod when older grown. He 
gives good reasons for removal and we let him go. 

Mayor Foulks and recorder Dinwiddie are busy signing the water bonds 
at 6 per cent interest. 

Miss Lulu Thompson and J. A. Tyler are married at the Thompson 
home. 

W. A. Barkus and Nard Byers are captains of two hunting teams Thanks 
giving Day. Barkus party is ahead by a few points and Nard and his team 
furnish the oysters for the crowd. 

Harry Foulks after a long grim fight for life gives up the contest. The 
Foster House formerly the Judkins and the Wilkinson is destroyed by fire. 

Rev. Chas. Merwin, an early settler and home builder in the village, a 
worthy helper in advancing the moral tone of life in our community, dies 
at his later home at Tabor. 

Mr. J. C. Taylor and family come from Illinois and cast their lot with 
the Malvern people. 

Jan. 3, 1892. Ben Dick is now proprietor of the Malvern Mills, and Will 
Mitchiner keeps the candy parlors. 

Wm. E. Kline is elected teacher to fill vacancy. 

Senator elect A. J. Chantry goes to Des Moines to take his seat in the 
general assembly and Thomas M. Britt as our representative. 

Horatio A. Baldwin or Father Baldwin, aged 9 2 dies to day, a well 
known and respected figure upon our streets, a gentleman of the old 
school. 

Mr. S. Burrus buys the restaurant of Will Mitchener, and at this writing 
25 years after, the name is still the Burrus Restaurant. 

Charlie Barnett's body is brought to his old home town for burial. 

C. C. Cully the new merchant opens out stock in Bairds new building. 
W. R. Thomas buys the barber shop business of Tony White, and Harry 
comes from Randolhp to Malvern two new citizens. 

Dr. Smith the dentist is a competitor with Mr. Roose as a lover of high 
class dogs and takes some good premiums at a Chicago bench show. 

Mrs. Benton buys J. H. DeBolts residence property. 

A public statement of Mayor Foulks showing the business of the town 
for year ending March 1, 1892. Receipts $175.25, Disbursements $114.80, 
leaving a few nickels in the treasury. 

Since the granting of the franchise for the electric light plant to Boeh- 
ner and Paddock, the project has been carried out in erection of building 



64 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



and installing of machinery for lights, heat and power and now this 10th 
day of March, 1892, the first connection is made and the current turned 
on at the business house of Foulks Bros., where flashed forth the starting 
of the electric lighting system of Mills County. It was an infant plant and 
many trials and much tribulation to sustain and build it up, but the lights 
have been kept burning all these years since and future writers will re- 
cord its progress to its present scope of usefulness. The men behind the 
dynamo that have been the helpers to make it go have been James Jones, 
John Knight and Joe Deardorff. 

The result of the spring election: Fred Zanders Mayor, A. B. Adams 
Recorder, S. Wainwright, W. A. Crow and E. B. Brown, new councilmen; 
J. J. Wilson, Treasurer, J. L. Talbott, Street Commissioner and C. E. 
Holmes, Assessor. 

J. K. DeWolf, for many years a worthy citizen of Malvern finds a new 
home in Nebraska. 

The packing house plant is sold to Bennett Thorne & Co. of Philadelphia 
who fit it up for a Cold Storage house. 

E. H. Hamilton is elected principal of our schools and Miss Myrtle Wil- 
liams assistant. 

Friends and neighbors get together and help Uncle John Chambers 
celebrate his 73rd birthday and report a royal time visiting and eating. 

J. H. B. Gordon does not raise the price of board, but he raises the 
hotel, the Gordon House. 

E. R. Graves builds a home. 

Miss Alice Cottrell and Lewis Woodrow, with the aid of two ministers, 
D. B. Fleming and W. J. Watson are securely tied with the lovers knot 
at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Smith, the bride's sister. Chas. S. Roe 
and Miss Mattie Brumback of Hamburg assume the same obligations. 

The flouring mill to be erected by the Replogles of Red Oak, material 
for which has been purchased on account of distruction by fire and heavy 
loss of their home property, has to be given up. 

Harry Thomas' new brick building is completed, and divided with the 
barber shop on one side and Henry Baird will study out his law decisions 
on the other. 

Prof. Willey dies and a wide circle of friends mourn the going out of his 
life, the body is taken to Mt. Pleasant. 

Whitfield and DuShane are the new law firm. 

The runaway of team driven by Mrs. Viner and her miraculous escape 
from death has been the exciting incident of the day. 

Mrs. Josiah Leek and C. J. R. Abbott, one of our business men, are tak- 
en to the residing place of the dead. 

Prof. Hamilton builds a home. 

Alfred Chantry and Miss Katie Kline take upon themselves the vows 
that make them one. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 65 

Strahan and Christy purchase the banking interests of B. F. Buffington 
and Son. 

Major Barnes returns to Malvern and has purchased an interest in the 
business of The Boehner Mercantile Co. Mrs. Merwin and Miss Abbie 
return to Malvern, their early home. Mr. Bentley from Randolph pur- 
chases the home of L. Bentley. 

Our school opened up Monday with an enrollment of 273. 

Thomas Hawkins dies September 9th; he was here early and a trusted, 
honest citizen in all his life. 

The little one at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Holmes is taken from 
them. 

The annual meeting of the County Sunday School Association meets at 
Malvern. The entertainment committee are Mesdames Barnes, Leighty, 
Hough and DuShane. 

H. T. Richmond rents the new Byers Building. John W. Dyson resigns 
his position at the Post Office after faithful service of three years. 

Y. M. C. A. rooms dedicated to their use November 13, 1892, with inter- 
esting ceremonies. G. W. Wyant moves into his new home he has been 
building. 

Our townsman D. M. Whitfield dies to day. He has been only a short 
time a resident of the town, but from its early days has been a steadfast 
friend and worker for its interests. 

G. E. Wetmore sells hardware business to M. Cunningham. Tom Lough 
is our photographer. Dr. Carley for 14 years a resident physician of 
Malvern, leaves Malvern. 

Roose & Wainwright move the lumber yard from 3rd Street to Center 
Street 

J. B. Welpton a new comer is with Paddock & Co. 

The Council are putting up a building for hose cart and for the council 
meetings. 

O. J. Davidson opens up a Variety Store. Foulks Bros, sell their busi- 
ness to four of our young men, a good strong team for work and trade, 
with the firm name of The Malvern Hardware and Implement Company. 

Johnstone, the mind reader, has been perrormmg some wonderful feats 
of being able to read the concentrated thoughts of those whom he has 
been associated with to day. 

Albert Tyler buys the O. M. Harris dray line. Denny McHugh, a good 
citizen of Malvern for many years, now living at Plattsmouth, Nebr., has 
ben pronounced insane and taken to the asylum. 

The Farmers and Traders Bank is changed to a National Bank under 
name of Farmers National and ofiicered by Mr. J. C. Taylor as President 
and Wm. M. Evans as Cashier. 



66 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

The Hiser livery barn is sold to 9am Norton and Lee Donner and Gene 
Bushnell buys B. L. Byers blacksmith shop. 

Miss Ellen Wing is elected as teacher of 6th grade in our public school. 

January, 1893, Rev. E. W. Brown becomes pastor of the Presbyterian 
Church. Tom Shannon buys the photo gallery of Hughes and Son. Jas. 
J. Wilson is elected as Cashier of First National Bank. 

The rooms of the Y, M. C. A. are open evenings for reading and social 
gatherings. 

Mr. Sam Harold's home that he had only recently purchased was de- 
stroyed by fire Sunday morning. 

At the home of Mrs. Dr. Otis occurs to day the marriage of her sister 
Miss Lizzie Uttvits to Charles W. Lee of Omaha. 

Mrs. Uttvits desires a home of her own and buys the wetmore residence. 
L. W. Boehner completes and moves into his fine new home. 

A social event of great interest is the marriage ceremony at the Pres- 
byterian Church today of Miss Edith Evans and Judge Joseph R. Reed of 
Council Bluffs. 

The installing of system of water works in the town has rendered obso- 
lete our old fire fighting force, the noble bucket brigade, and a well equip- 
per, trained and efficient volunteer fire department has been established. 
The organization of the fire department was effected February 3, 1893, by 
election of officers, Wm. C. Wortz Chief, Ed B. Brown first assistant, F. 
Mulholland second assistant, and a muster roll of our best young men to 
fill the ranks who have been in all these years since an effective force in 
staying the ravages of fire and saving life and property. 

Married at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Evans, their daughter Lizzie 
to Mr. Thomas W. Raines. Death invades the Barnet home and takes 
away the mother of the family. 

The town election is taking place today and we are getting initiated in- 
to the new way of voting. The count of votes elects F. Zanders, Mayor; 
Wm. Mitchener, Recorder; Jas. J. Wilson, Treasurer; Wm. Grasby, Street 
Commissioner; T. D. Gibson and Wm. Kneeland new Councilmen. 

At school election W. H. Bentley and Chan. Baird the new directors on 
the board. Tom Butler purchased J. K. DeWolf's property and C C. Reed 
the Rachael Kerney home. 

All our young men are buying or wanting to buy Safety Bicycles, and 
pedestrians are keeping out of the way of the amateur riders. 

Roose and Wainwright again make sale of their lumber business to C. 
D. Greenwood and Ed Morse. Mr. Roose includes in the sale his neat new 
cottage home. 

At a meeting of the Ladies Cemetery Association the following officers 
were elected: Mrs. Dr. Campbell, President; Mrs. A. Hershey, Secretary, 
Treasurer; Miss Place and Mesdams Munger, Retelsdorf, Summers, Chan- 
try and Bonham advisory board. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 67 



J. M. Strahan's second addition to Malvern has been surveyed and plat- 
ted and lots are being sold. There are quite a number of purchasers of 
lots in different parts of town with the intention of building homes, J. B. 
Welpton, J. C. Taylor, James Brohard, Samuel Harold. 

Miss Arminta Jones Millinery Store is displaying all the latest novelties 
in ladies head covering. A tower is being erected for the fire alarm bell. 

Henry Gastineau, one of the early pioneers and hustling business man 
of Malvern, now living in Valparaiso, Ind., is here greeting old time friends 
and reviving memories of the past. 

The lumber business is booming, three yards are preparing for the sea- 
son's trade. Greenwood & Morse, J. E. Skadan & Co. and Foster & Smith. 

A special stock train of nineteen cars of cattle start this Tuesday for the 
Wednesday morning market in Chicago. 

The school board renew $6000.00 of school bonds with Gilman & Son, 
New York, at 5 per cent and elect teachers, Prof. E. H. Hamilton, Princi- 
pal May Miller, Assistant Wm. Kline, Ellen Wing, Miss Laughlin, Miss 
Powell and Miss Addie Welpton as teachers of the grades. 

Mr. Alonzo Ring of Glenwood buys building and opens up a bakery and 
restaurant. I. W. Skadan buys a residence property of Mrs. M. E. Boeh- 
ner on east hill and B. W. Rush buys a lot and builds a home. 

Zopher Perkins and Emma Myers are married by Rev. E. W. Brown. Dr 
Josie Wetmore is practicing her profession at Colorado Springs, Colo. 

Samuel Hiser and wife, ten years residents here return to their old 
home Valparaiso, Ind. Mrs. D. M. Whitfield sells her fine home to Mrs. T. 
D. Gibson. 

Three lumber yards are too many and Foster and Smith close out their 
stock to the other firms. Dr. H. H. Smith our dentist for eight years sells 
out to Dr. Price from Kansas and goes into business at Superior Wis. 

C. C. Baird, Sr., a business man here since 1880, dies to day. Mobberly 
sells his meat market business to Fred Borene and the new firm is soon 
Borene Bros. 

Chicago and the world's fair is the great attraction now, to the whole 
country, and a great many of our citizens are traveling that way and mak- 
ing the great show a visit. 

Silver Creek is on the high tide and many are driven out from their 
homes. 

Two of our young people are united in the bonds of wedlock. Miss Em- 
ma Brown and Frank B. Hough. 

The thirteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Abbott while in swim- 
ming with several other lads in the high waters of the creek is drowned. 
News comes to friends of the death of F. T. Beckwith, a former helper 
in Malvern history. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. B. Foulks welcomes a son. 



68 BRIEF lllSTORY OF MALVERN 

The post office salary is increased to $1400. Death calls Mrs. J. P. 
Retelsdorf and funeral service is held by Father Cook in the Catholic 
Church, July 18, 1893. 

Two dozen fresh eggs for 25 cents at Gibson's. Mrs. S. M. Lewis sells 
millinery business to Amaret and Clara Place. 

Frank Bridges comes home for a visit with his mother, and brings £. 
wife with him. Gus Borene our meat market man gets a wife, Miss Sofa 
Carlson. 

Miss Marion Black leaves home and friends to take up home missionary 
work in Utah, under direction of Presbyterian board of Missions. 

Chas E. Crow, a Malvern boy is dead at Casper, Wyoming, from acci- 
dent, is the decision of the jury. Helen Hunter, the daughter of S. C. 
Hunter dies to day, a young and promising life is taken. 

M. F. Beckwith and family move to Malvern into their lately purchased 
home on east hill. Prof. M. Lewis, wife and daughter depart today foi 
southern California. They will be missed in business, school and church 
circles. 

Friends help Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Cully celebrate their silver wedding 
291 is the school enrollment. The pastors of the churches are "Watson, 
Brown and Brewer. 

W. B. Wilson, Uncle Billy, as his friends were wont to call him, dies 
here today. With his family they came to Malvern only about a month 
ago for school privileges, and rest from the arduous duties of the farm, 
and death calls. His body is taken to the burial place at Wesley Chapel 
Church, of which he was a charter member. 

Ralph Brothers is the man at the post office wicket. 

At John Hollins home his daughter May, is married to T. E. Bosworth. 

S. Wainwright locates at Waldo, Ark., and his family leave for a new 
abiding place. A. E. Cook sells his residence to Geo. B. Foulks and W. 
E. Kline buys the first building erected in the town for a home. 

Wm. McCoy, our blacksmith for many years, sells his shop to Reed 
Graves and John Shaw, and goes to the farm. 

The death list is heavy, Mrs. Hertz the widow of Mr. Hertz who lately 
died is herself taken. The little sons of C. Larison and Major Barnes are 
both taken. J. C. Herbert's remains are brought from Blue Springs, Nebr., 
to Malvern, his pioneer home for burial and Ben Garman, after a brave 
fight is forced to give up and answer the summons 

Twenty three years have gone into the past since the dedication of the 
first M. E. Church and now this 17th day of December, 1893, a new one 
has been erected and is to be dedicated and set apart as a place of divine 
worship. Rev. J. F. St. Clair takes the place of Bishop Bowman for the 
service. 

There are no records to be obtained for the first nine months of 1894. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 69 

September, 1894, C. H. Leighty sells his residence property to G. W. Wy- 
ant. Sophia Retelsdorf and Susie Schaeffer go into the millinery business. 

J. H. Burks & Co., the new Real Estate firm, sell Wilbur McCabes resi- 
dence to J. P. Smith. 

The price of wheat is very low, 45 cents per bushel and it is being led 
to fatten the hogs. 

James Evans is clerking for the Cully Dry Goods Co. Officers elect of 
the Y. M. C. A.: President, Geo. Cleaver; 1st V. P., S. C. Hunter; 2nd 
V. P., Dr. C. A. Love; Secretary, C. E. Holmes; Treasurer, C. B. Christy. 

Mr. and Mrs. D. G. Schancks become residents of Malvern. U. G. King 
and Lillie Johnson are quietly married. 

The old settlers annual picnic and visit is on at the Fair grounds. An 
interesting exhibit of gathered relics of old times and way back articles 
of use in the home and on the farm was interesting, showing what pro- 
gress had been made for betterment. 

Hartley Taylor goes as a student at the military training school at 
Faribault, Minn. Mr. E. A. Stone buys the ten acre tract of land and 
home of Mrs. Thomas Bonham in the Peaceville suburb. 

Aunt Susan Smith, Uncle Peter's widow, dies at the Gordon House. 
Rev. D. C. Morris is pastor at the Christian Church. Mrs. D. H. Thomp- 
son dies. 

A bouncing boy comes to stay and have his picture taken by Mr. and 
Mrs. Shannon. 

The fire boys have their first actual experience on the fire at the Shanks 
building. 

Attorney Cook and family are nicely located in their new home on Mar- 
ion Avenue. A Stock Co. have erected a fine brick building on the corn- 
er of First Avenue and 5th Street, 25 feet wide and 110 feet deep. 

Bank robbers use explosives and create great destruction in the Farm- 
ers National Bank, loss in money and damage to vault and safe over five 
thousand dollars. 

The frequency of these midnight prowlers, necessitates a night watch 
and Walter Uttvits is appointed by town council and business men. 

The fire boys have an ameteur play on at the opera house and the com- 
munity express their appreciation and good will by a crowded house. 

A chapter of the order of the Eastern Star is organized, Mrs. Sena Gid- 
ley, Worthy Matron; Associates Mrs. J. T. Ward and Miss Pet Woodrow. 

Geo. Mellor adds 25 feet to his store room and has associated with him 
Mr. C. S. Royce from Carson, and put in a stock of drugs under firm name 
of Mellor & Royce. F. C. Harris is bookkeeper for the Neck Yoke Factory. 

D. E. Whitfield and family after a trial of absence from Malvern and 
residence at Superior, Wis., return to the scenes and associations of their 
early years of life. 



70 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



The poultry department of the Creamery Is a busy place, 3500 chickens 
were picked and packed for market last week. The price is low, but lots 
of chickens. 

Mr. C. S. Lawson of Council Bluffs comes down and takes away our 
post office assistant, Miss Rose Maybee. The ceremony of the binding tie 
is at the home of her sister, Mrs. Gidley. At the home of her mother, Miss 
Abbie Merwin and Mr. Will F. Chambers take upon themselves the mar- 
riage vows. R. A. Wills moves into his Peaceville property. 

At the annual dinner of Milton Summers Post, January 5th, 1895, the 
following officers were elected: John DuShane, P. C; H. Barnes, S. V. C; 
Julius Shay, J V. C.;. John Dull, Q. M.; C. W. Black, Chaplain; H. H 
Woodrow, Q. D. ; Isaac Dice, O. G.; J. B. Welpton, Adjt.; M. J. Higgins, 
Q. M. S.; P. Hambsch, S. M.; J. S. Criswell, Sergt.; John Suits, Color 
Bearer. 

H. E. Schaeffer sells furniture business to Mr. W. H. Crose of Shen- 
andoah. Mr. S. Burrus after an absence from Malvern for a while returns 
and buys out Mr. Ring, who wishes to make a change. 

With the Current Topic Club and The Social Club of the older ones, to 
keep the mind in good working order, the High School students also or- 
ganize a literary club for recreation and improvement; Amos Bonham 
President, Guy Welpton Vice President, Maud Wyant Secretary, Will 
Evans Treasurer. 

The Leighty's sell the Corner Grocery to C. M. Pearson and Wm. Totten 
of Griswold. 

At the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Stone in Peaceville precinct occurs 
to day the marriage of their daughter Nellie E. Marshall to Wallace W. 
Donner. 

A new bank is organized by J. C. Taylor and A. J. Wearin as the Mills 
County Savings Bank. 

Spring election for city officers: John DuShane Mayor, W. E. Kline Re- 
corder, Jas. J. Wilson Treasurer, W. A. Crow and C. E. Holmes new 
councilmen, were elected. James Clark succeeds Walter Uttvits as Night 
watch. 

Mixie Cunningham was kicked to day by a colt, rendering necessary a 
trepanning operation, by Drs. Campbell and Love. 

The dedication of the Y. M. C. A. new rooms in the Paddock block to 
day, Sunday is an event of great interest. 

S. C. Hunter & Co. sell the Leader plant to E. B. Brown, Bert Mulhol- 
land and Clyde Wills, under firm name of E. B. Brown & Co. Mr. Brown 
takes up his same old work again. 

D. T. Wj^ant and Miss Anna E. Bentley are married today April 3rd. 
1895, at the home of the bride's mother. 

There is general stagnation of business in all the marts of trade through 
out the whole country, and many of the poor of the cities are hungry, and 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 71 



a spirit of discontent and unrest prevails. Many of these discontented ones 
have been added to the regular contingent of tramps and hoboes until they 
have become a forminable gathering. They have formed a combination 
under the title of the commonweal army. A large body of them, under 
the command and guidance of a General Kelsey are on the march through 
this part of the country, to spread their grievances before the rulers at 
Washington. Our citizens hear of their coming and the impression pre- 
vails that it will be best to have a parley with them before coming to our 
thresholds, and our worthy mayor, John DuShane and deputy Sheriff go 
out to meet them. A council is held with the motley crowd out near Hen- 
ry Ranne's farm north west of town, and th^y promise to keep shy of our 
village if a good dinner is given them. Our committee return and report. 
The eatables were furnished and taken to them. This motley gathering 
are not all tramps and hoboes as we would think of them, but many fair 
minded but discontented men are in the crowd. After their hunger had 
been appeased they continued their march north of us. We have no rec- 
ord from print or memory where their journey ended. This was a small 
division of what will be remembered as Coxcy's army. 

Mr. W. S. Potts and family move from Sidney to Malvern. W. A. Beck- 
ett receives his appointment to a position in the railway mail service. 

Miss Laughlin opens up a studio in the new building and gives instruc- 
tion in painting and drawing. 

S. B. Barnes purchases Prof. Hamilton's home and Mrs. Uttvits buys 
Mrs. Sam Campbell's residence. Charlie Larison after 17 years at the 
barber's chair sells out his interest in the business and his home to John 
Uttvits. 

Teachers elect: W. E. Kline Principal, May Miller Assistant Principal, 
Maud Norton, Addie Welpton, Miss Powell and Florence Ockerson of the 
grades. 

The running team of the fire boys are Gord Jones, John Perdue, Frank 
Degenhart, Ralph Brothers, Geo. Pace, Ed Scott, Clyde Wills, Bert Mul- 
holland, Chas. Brothers, Bert Crumb, Ralph Roberts, Charles Cleaver, 
Nobe Smith, Frank Higgins, Paul Retelsdorf, Frank Churchill, Will Jack- 
son, Harry Landis, Chas. Totten, Fred Mulholland, Geo. Cleaver. 

Geo. LaFrance is the new helper at the forge in Gene Bushnell's shop. 

Miss Lillian Betts and Mr. F. H. Parker of Chicago are married at the 
home, The Cottage, to day May 14, 1895. Miss May Baird and Dr. B. A. 
Price are married at the Baird home. Miss Pearl Mellor and Brent K. 
Yates of Omaha have the wedding march played for them. 

J. D. Paddock and Co. assigns for benefit of creditors. 

Another couple wed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Wills, June 5th, 
their daughter Eva to Charles Wainwright and they go to Waldo, Ark. 



72 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

The wife of Rev. E. W. Brown is taken by that grim reaper death. Tho 
beautiful and loving words in memoriam of her life while in our midst 
shows the esteem in which she was held. 

Dr. I. U. Parsons of Council Bluffs takes care of the patients of Drs. 
Scott and Love while they are having an outing, and he likes our people 
so well that he becomes a permanent resident. 

The graduating class for 1895, Maud Wyant, Sadie Paddock, Maggie 
Crow, Lillie Crow, Stella Layton, Albin Byers, Ona Bentley, Mina Morford, 
Forest Chantry, Amos Bonham, Guy Welpton, Gay Smith and Will Evans. 

The creamery burned last night, nearly a total loss, no insurance and 
nothing much saved for Mr. Norton or for Mr. Clark who lived in the up 
per part and who barely escaped with their lives. It is a great loss to Mr. 
Norton and to the business interests of the town. 

Jacob Konefka is a veteran at the brick yard as a temperer of the clay, 
having been at it 21 years. 

The children and friends of E. R. Graves help them to celebrate their 
golden wedding day. 

L. W. Boehner and A. B. Hawkins purchase the Cold Storage plant and 
form a company, A. B. Hawkins, President; Fred Boehner, Secretary and 
L. W. Boehner, Treasurer. The property invested for other uses will be 
utilized and still be of value to the town and community. 

Very low water in the streams, not showing in some places in Silver 
Creek and only a tiny stream in the Nishna. 

Little Edna Scott has a gathering of about thirty of her little compan- 
ions to make merry her 8th birthday anniversary. 

Fred Borene and Miss Lucy Carlson and quietly married and Miss 
Maggie E. Schaffer and Mr. Wm. J. Tyner decide to walk the ways of life 
together. 

Fine improvements are being made on the buildings and track at the 
Fair grounds preparing for the coming fair. 

Greenwood & Morse sell lumber yard to J. C. Taylor and S. B. Barnes. 

At the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Smith the marriage of their daugh- 
ter Stella to Mr. J. O. Hamaker. 

Miss Hattie Birdsall of Emerson is elected teacher to fill vacancy. 

Frank Beam, for several years the popular agent at the Wabash, resigns 
to pursue studies in the dental department of the State University. Dakin 
Miller has come to prominence in base ball circles as pitcher, 

Mr. W. S. Potts is checked in as agent at the Q. V. W. Beeson of Mis- 
souri, a new comer, a blacksmith, leases a shop of Gibson. 

September, 1895, Guy Welpton, Curtis Munger and Frank Goodwin are 
students at Tabor. 

Improvements and buildings planned and in course of erection: E. A. 
Stone at Peaceville, in town, Mrs. Bishop, Wm. Kneeland, B. F. Barnet, 
V. W. Beeson, J. T. Ward, A. J. Wearin, J. C. Taylor, Frank Weatherhead. 



BHIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 73 



July 22, 1894. The sad news soon spread that Eddie, the bright young 
son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Ward, was drowned at the White Cloud Mill. It 
was too true. No human eye saw the water engulf the lad. His fishing 
tackle was lying upon the bank, his hat was found in a quiet eddy of the 
water and these gave to the anxious searchers an intimation of his fate. A 
large seine was dragged through the deep channel and the lifeless body 
was found. 

Miss Adelle Gibson of Marne is teacher for vacancy. 320 is the enroll- 
ment at the school. 

September market quotations at Coats & Wilkinson, elevator: Wheat 
40c, Oats 13c, Corn 20c. 

Fred Stone takes unto himself a wife, Miss Iva E. Talley. 

The fire department boys produce the play at the opera house entitled 
"Bound by an Oath," with the following caste: Wm. Wortz, Chas. Broth- 
ers, Will Morris, Fred MulhoUand, Harry Landis, Miss Carrie Wills, Mabel 
Barrack, Sophia Retelsdorf and Ida Morris. 

John Perdue is our faithful night watch. J. H. Watson is the name of 
the new agent at the Omaha and St. Louis. 

A. B. Adams enters the ministry and his first charge is at Magnolia, 
Iowa. T. W. Finch and family move to Malvern. 

Miss Lena Laughlin, a former teacher here, dies at College Springs. 

Charles F. Goodwin is taken sick while on a visit to his brother Frank 
at Missouri Valley and his eyes are closed in the sleep of death. He has 
been an active business man here for a quarter of a century, and a wide 
circle of friends will miss him from his accustomed place as well as the 
dear ones in his home. 

At a meeting of stockholders of the Fair Association, October 19th, 
189 5, the following ofRcers and directors were elected: J. M. Strahan, 
President; H. A. Norton, Vice President; I. J. Swain, Secretary; John 
Dyson, Treasurer; W. L. Summers, Marshal; and directors M. L. Evans, 
W. G. White, W. C. Swarts, J. B. Fickel, W. G. Summers, L. C. Stevesson, 
R. S. Vestal, W. R. Johnson, H. H. Woodrow, E. A. Stone, Sherman Jones, 
J. M. Kline and A. J. Kronsbien. 

Onion growers on the Missouri river bottom lands can only get 8%c a 
bushel for their crop. 

Mr. H. T. Beattie buys the merchandise stock of T. P. Hamm and starts 
in as a citizen of Malvern. 

Mr. Pearson sells his grocery business to the Totten Brothers. 

A. B. Henry is the new clerk at Munger and Goodwin's. 

Old Dan, Paddock's horse dies at the age of twenty three years, pos- 
sibly of a broken heart that he could not be of any more service to his 
masters. 

Miss Sadie Anderson is typewriter in Balrd's law office. Charlie Adams 
who has been in charge of the Cottage for a long time resigns his position. 




First Avenue in 1875, Looking South from \orth Street. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 75 

Mr. Arthur Leighty and Mabel Kline get a license to marry. Miss Gil- 
liland holds the office of County Superintendent of Schools. 

Our citizens R. A. and W. W. Wills and wives celebrate their thirtieth 
wedding anniversary, both couples being married the same day. 

U. G. King buys an acre lot in Strahans addition to Malvern. Geo. 
Cleaver buys Mrs. Anna Wing's residence property. 

James Churchill is running the old Seeger Mill, grinding feed and saw- 
ing Cottonwood lumber and manufacturing egg cases. 

W. H. Buckley, our well liked agent leaves Malvern for a position on 
the C. B. & Q. at Lovilla, Iowa. 

Charlie Adams has the contract for transfer of the mails. 

Mr. A. J. Wearin and family move into their elegant new home and 
with their fine home they build a barn to correspond in all its requirements. 

Mr. W. H. Crose succeeds Mr. Buckley as President of Y. M. C. A. Mrs. 
Betts sells the Cottage Hotel to Mr. G. A. Averill from Corning. Mrs. 
Betts the retiring landlady has a large circle of friends who are wishing 
she might remain. 

Christmas at the Churches was observed to the great delight of the little 
ones and their pleasure was contageous with the older ones. 

January, 189 6, O. J. Davis succeeds Mr. Watson as agent at the Wabash. 
J. B. Fickel and family of Anderson Township are stopping with us as 
residents for a while. 

At the residence of Mrs. R. J. Bentley occurs today the marriage of her 
daughter Ona, to Mr. Walter Uttvits. 

Installation of officers of Eastern Star and Silver Urn Lodges. Instal- 
lation of Eastern Star conducted by Mrs. L. W. Tubbs, P. M. Mrs. Sena 
Gidley Matron, H. A. Norton Patron, Mrs. J. B. Welpton A. M., Miss Mintie 
Jones Secretary, Mrs. E. J. Aistrope Treasurer, Mrs. C. S. Royce Conduc- 
tress, Mrs. W. J. C. Smith A. C, Mrs. G. B. Foulks Ada, Miss Alice Broth- 
ers, Ruth; Mrs. M. Cunningham, Esther, Mrs. H. H. Woodrow, Martha; 
Mrs. H. A. Norton, Electa; Mrs. John DuShane Chaplain; J. T. Ward, 
Marshal; Mrs. Emma Young, Organist; Mrs. Carrie Donner, Warder; J. 
D. Barrack, Sentinel. Officers of Silver Urn installed by L. B. Hixon. H. 
A. Norton, W. M.; M. Cunningham, S. W.; J. B. Welpton, J. W; Thos. Paul, 
Treasurer; J. T. Ward, Secretary; H. H. Woodrow, S. D.; W. E. Kline, 
J. D.; James Jones, S. S.; John Suits, J. S.; I. W. Skadan, Tyler. 

At sheriff's sale, eleven head of horses, mostly 3 and 4 year olds, sold at 
from $7.00 to ?20.00, average $13.00. 

O. J. Davis buys the Ed Morse property. W. H. Salyers sells fifty chick- 
ens to the Creamery Co. that averaged 6i/^lbs. each at 5 cents a pound, 
and thought he was getting rich. 

News comes to day of the death of G. T. Donner at his home in Port- 
land, Oregon. This vicinity was his boyhood home, and for many years 
a prominent business man of the town and serving a term as post master. 



76 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



Our railroad, the Omaha and St. Louis, that our citizens helped to build 
from Moberly to Council Bluffs is put up at auction at Council Bluffs. 
There were no bidders from Malvern present. Mr. C. B. Gould bid it in 
at $1,560,000.00. 

McKibbin takes John Perdue's place as night watch and John buys the 
dray line of Charlie Adams. 

Henry V. Evans answers the roll call of death at his home in Malvern, 
and Mrs. John Miller after many years as an invalid and sufferer is taken 
in the funeral procession to the place of the dead. (Continued next week.) 

The passing of th^ old for the new. The erection of the early church 
buildings by the Methodist and the Baptist people, met the needs 
of the day, but advancement and progress of the christian work and add- 
ed numbers, made it necessary to enlarge and build better temples for 
the Lord's service. In regular order of time we failed to make mention 
of the building by the Baptist people of their new house of worship, the 
corner stone of which was laid on October 19th, 1893, and fully completed 
and dedicated on Sunday, July 15th, 1894. An event of great interest not 
alone to its own people but to all within the radius of its influence for 
good. 

Ten couples of our young people have a leap year party at the home of 
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wearin, in the country. The young ladies were the 
guiding hands in the program. The boys parted their hair in the middle, 
and some donned the bloomer costume. It v/as a great event for the boys. 

Citizen W. A. Crow finishes the journey of this life. 

Mr. D. W. Harvey and Mrs. Anna Marsh are married at the Baptist par- 
sonage. 

James Maguire and Mike Lee are watchmen 0,t the crossing of the rail- 
roads. Mr. Geo. S. Wilson receives the appointment as Postmaster and 
April 15th, 189 6, takes possession. 

The bright manly son of Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Whitfield is taken by that 
scourge, scarlet fever. Mrs. Luella Miller buys residence of Jess Smith 
on Marion Avenue. 

A surprise party on Harry Wilson by his sisters Etta and Bertha invit- 
ing in their friends. Grace Landis, Gertie Finch, Lulu Totten, Pearl Ewing, 
Alice Bentley, Nettie V/eller, Maud Wyant, Cora Smith, Bessie Weller, 
Arva Burrus, Fenno Smith, Dell Schaffer, Ben Montgomery, John Uttvits. 
Harry Landis, Charley Cleaver, Harry Boston, Harlan Porter, Charlie 
Boles. Bessie Wills, Alice Dull and Katie Wilson served the refreshments, 
after which the games of youth. 

The Y. M. C. A., on account of limited numbers and financial aid are 
forced to give up the good work and close the doors. Heroic and conse- 
crated service has been given by the few, but not enough in number to 
keep the wheels in motion and the lights brightly burning. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 77 

J. A. Black succeeds J. A. Tyler in the grocery business. Mrs. E. J. 
Aistrope buys the residence of Mrs. Mitchener and Shannon the artist sells 
to Mr. Moores of Afton. 

C. E. Burres is the new agent at the Q. and H. A. Conent succeeds Will 
Chambers as operator. 

Malvern is made a distributing point for the Standard Oil Co. Exten- 
sive improvements are being made to the Cottage Hotel by Mr. Averill, 
the new owner. 

Miss Dora Alexander, Miss Lillie Chantry and Miss Florence Kiskadon 
are added to the teachers list. 

Jess Smith for eighteen years with the Boehner Store, resigns. His 
friends and customers will miss him from behind the counters of the 
firm. 

The high school graduates for 1896: Lora A. Hamilton, Geo. Masters, 
Addie "Ward, Daisy Bartley, Leonard Wilkinson, Katie Cottrcll, Leo Gord- 
on, Marie Christy, Mamie Hamilton, Melvin Hensley and Jessie Place. 

Miss Mattie Wilson is on duty at the Post office wicket. 

Mrs. Ruth Roberts purchases a home on Marion Avenue. Mrs. Wearin 
trades Mr. G. W. Wyant some bank stock for his home on Marion Avenue. 

W. W. Wills is tendered a position on the custodians force at the State 
Capitol and moves with his family to Des Moines. 

The Cully Dry Goods Co. are forced, by the closeness of the times and 
dull trade to suspend business. 

The beautiful home of J. C. Taylor is complete and the family take pos- 
session 

At the home of Mrs. Ewing, her daughter Pearl and Ben Montgomery 
are united in marriage. Mrs. Sena Gidley and Mr. A. H. Dolph were quiet- 
ly married yesterday at the home of the bride in Malvern, Rev. E. W. 
Brown officiating. 

Mr. W. H. Crose and family remove from Malvern to Shenandoah. Their 
removal is objected to very strongly by a wide circle of friends and busi- 
ness neighbors and they change their mind, and soon return again. 

The Malvern fire boys at the firemen's tournament at Marshalltown 
come out with honor and well up towards the top in cash prizes, and on 
their return home were tendered a reception and a banquet at the Cottage 
that made them proud. 

The death of an honored citizen Mr. H. Barnes is announced this morn- 
ing after quite a long illness. Mr. Barnes came here to Malvern in 1873, 
and has taken an active part in business, and in the upbuilding of its tem- 
poral affairs, and m.oral and religious life. 

Nobe Smith buys the grocery stock of C. C. Baird. John Baird gets 
contract to operate the Standard Oil Station at this point. 

Mr. Baker of firm of Baker and Kneeland retires from the business and 
the junior member will run the race alone. 



78 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

Grandma Hopper, a resident of Malvern since 1880, dies at her home 
here. Mrs. W. S. Cooper is teacher for the new room added to the public 
school. 

Mrs. H. Barnes sells her home to Mrs. Robt. Plumb. 

Malvern boys are out as winners in sporting contests. Harry and Charlie 
Cleaver in wheel races, Frank Weatherhead in shooting matches, Fred and 
Bert Mulholland win doubles in tennis. 

Creamery business for first year in new building: Butter, 78666 lbs. 
made; Eggs bought, 18C000 dozen, shipments of poultry, live 55884 lbs., 
dressed 58189 lbs. 

An important business change. The Farmers National Bank business is 
taken up by the Mills County Savings Bank. The Farmers National Bank, 
who go into voluntary liquidation is one of the oldest business houses of 
the town, started as a private bank by W. D. Evans in 1871. 

A. Hershey one of the stand patters of Malvern history from its begin- 
ning, with wife and niece Miss Jessie Place move to Des Moines, Iowa. 

W. G. Bingaman and family after a year's residence in Pennsylvania, re- 
turn to Malvern. 

Our voting ballot this year is in size 18x24 inches with six headings, 
Republican, Democrat, Populist, Prohibition Straight, Prohibition Bolters 
and Socialistic, and campaign exercises are taking the attention of the 
people. 

H. F. Richmond buys the home of John McKibben. 

Mr. Frank B. Hough while on a visit with friends at Red Oak is taicen 
ill, and the end of life soon comes. He was loved for his noble christian 
life. 

Mr. W. D. Wilson of Kingsley, la., buys the old established business of 
Munger and Goodwin. It removes an old landmark when the sign of 
Munger & Goodwin is taken down. 

Mrs. Rachael Suhr and A. F. Clay are married. W. H, Replogle is the 
jeweler at the W. D. Wilson Drug Store. Mr. F. C. Harris buys the Cleav- 
er home on Short Street. 

Robert Plumb an honored citizen of the County, dies to day, September 
16, 1896, at his home in Malvern. 

Rev. A. A. Wallburn is the new pastor of M. E. Church. 

The fire boys are the champion running team of South West Iowa, win- 
ning the Association Cup at the Red Oak tournament. 

Geo. E. Pace is building a home on the old site of Roose & Wainwright 
lumber yard. 

The mother of W. A. Barkus dies at his home in Malvern. 

Married today at the Welpton home, their daughter Addie, to Dr. C. R. 
Hudgel of Lloyd, Wisconsin. 

A family gathering of more than ordinary interest to day, October 13th, 
189 6, at the W. D. Evans home to celebrate the parents 50th wedding an- 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 7» 

niversary. Malvern has been their home for one half of their married life. 
Six only of the ten children could be present, Mrs. O. H. Snyder, Mrs. 
Lindsey, Mrs. Anna Goodwin, Mrs. J. R. Reed, Will and Paul Evans. Those 
absent were present in the spirit of the occasion by letters of love and con- 
gratulation, J. G. Evans, Franklin, Washington; Mrs. W. F. Swan, Biloxi. 
Mississippi; Geo. D. Evans, Olympia, Washington and Miss Ethel Evans, 
Paris, France. 

A. M. Darling one of the early lads of the town and Miss Myrtle Wil- 
liams are married at the brides home. 

Our town has been honored by a short stop visit of presidential candi- 
dates, McKinley and Hobart, John M. Palmer and Simon B. Buckner and 
W. J. Bryan. 

J. A. Black sells his grocery stock to A.G. Fleming. Election contracts 
are being paid. T. J. Hensley an earnest Bryan man and A. J. Kronsbein 
an enthusiastic McKinley man and a gaily decorated wheel barrow meet 
together at Kronsbeins store and Hensley takes Kronsbeln for a ride up 
and down first avenue with a cheering crowd of sidewalk spectators. 

Malvern Lodge Fraternal Union of America instituted November 16, 
1896, with the following officers: Warren D. Wilson, Geo. LaFrance, I. U. 
Parsons, Mrs. Addie Evans, Chas. R. Brothers, Paul Evans, Chas. Anthers, 
J C. Taylor, Grant Hanscomb and Mrs. Carrie Donner. 

December, 1896, Mr. C. Ritter of Mifflin, Penn., ships a carload of fine 
draft horses out from Malvern. The average price per head $55.00. 

Our dental doctor, J. O. Laird is married to Miss Cora M. Roth of Pack- 
wood, Iowa. 

Mrs. C. F. Goodwin goes to Germany for a year's sojourn for health and 
the study of the German language by the children, and a visit to her sister 
Ethel, an art student in Paris, France. 

The wedding ceremony of Miss Eva Wills and Chas. Wainwright is so 
soon followed by the death of Mr. Wainwright at his new home at Waldo, 
Ark., and the funeral cortege to the Malvern Cemetery. 

The stringency of the times and dullness of trade is pressing many bus- 
iness men to the wall. Others come in their place and take up the game 
to win. Mr. H. T. Beattie's place of business is closed. J. W. Gemmell & 
Son purchase the balance of the Cully stock and one of the Hamm famllj 
the Beattie stock. Sunshine and shadow follow each other in the chang- 
ing kaleidescope of life and there is sunshine now upon the screen. 
Gordon Jones and Miss Lillian Crow take upon themselves the marriage 
vows. Clyde Wills, one of the Leader force and Miss Eva B. Landis join 
hands in solem^n service for life's journey. Older people are sometimes 
again young lovers. John Getman and Mrs. Catherine Vought are mar- 
ried at the bride's Malvern home. 

Ed B. Brown has bought the Leavengood property for a home, January, 
1897. 



80 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Munger and family, for many years residents and 
history makers of Mo.lvern go out towards the setting sun for a new home. 
To those who have been associated with them in all the relations of busi- 
ness, church and as neighbors, it is no light matter to break the ties of 
long friendship. 

Miss Lulu Woodrow is cashier at Hamm's store. The Cold Storage Co., 
with a force of about thirty helpers are storing away the congealed liquid 
for use when the m rcury is r.t 100 in the shade. 

Mr. W. H. Crose proves his citizenship by buying a home. The Leader 
plant moves down First Avenue to the Farmers National Bank building. 

W. H. Buckley, who was the well liked agent at the Q. for a number of 
years dies at Roseville, 111., and the death summons conies to our towns- 
man L. B. Hixon, February, 1897. 

At Mrs Carrie Donner's home, her daughter Mrs. Nettie Caldwell and 
Will Zanders are married. 

Hon. John Parker our representative is at Des Moines helping to trans- 
act the business of the State. Frank Weatherhead sells his home to Mr. 
J. M. Strahan. 

A. E. Byers who has been the right hand man at Gibson's grocery resigns 
and Jess Bell is trying to fill the vacancy. 

Will H. Warde for thirteen years a mixer with the people of Malvern 
goes to Ridgeway, Col., and Charlie Adams and wife move to Riverton to 
take up the hotel business. Cleaver Bros, sell meat market to C. M. Nich- 
olas of Blanchard. 

Geo. W. Wyant makes a trade with J. B. Welpton, his store room on first 
Avenue and 5th Street for a Kansas farm. 

Miss Clara West opens up a millinery stock of goods. April, 1897, in- 
corporation of The Chicago Dry Goods Co., Mr. H. T. Beattie representa- 
tive and manager. 

The school board commence their annual job of securing teachers for 
the coming year, and the completed list: W. E. Kline, Principal, Mae Mil- 
ler, Assistant; Miss Powell, Miss Kiskaddon, Mrs. Cooper, Miss Chantry 
and Miss Alexander. 

P. J. Guenther of Guenther Bros, goes to Imogene for a wife. Miss Anna 
Skahill. Eli Vickery buys Richmond's home on Short Street. 

Ed Bannister opens up a barber shop on First Avenue. Chas. Larison 
and family move to Victor, Col. 

Mrs. E. R. Graves after a long illness passes away this morning at the 
home. Memorial day service is held at the M. E. Church, May 23, Rev, 
Walburn preaching the sermon. In the evening Pres. R. C. Hughes of 
Tabor College will deliver the baccalaureate sermon to the graduating 
class for 1897: Elsie Chantry, Blanche Kerney, Eunice Summers, Clemmie 
Burger, Albert Benton, Josiah Benton, Matthew Higgins, Geo. Talbott, 
Ralph Goodrich and Ray Wilkinson. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 81 



We go out over the border to record the death of W. K. Follett, a long 
time friend and a well known and respected citizen of the County. It r/as 
but a moments warning and the life was gone. 

Good number one white corn is worth 19 cents a bushel. 

Deputy Sheriff Harris sold a team, harness and wagon on the street to 
day for the benefit of an eastern Organ Company claim and realized the 
sum of $14.00 for the whole outfit. 

S. B. Barnes sells lumber yard to the Green Bay Lumber Co., who will 
add this to their chain of yards. 

Deceration Day address, May 29th, 1897, delivered by Hon. John Y. 
Stone was an eloquent tribute to the soldier dead. 

Sam Schadel an old timer, a carpenter in the early building of Malvern 
visits us and recalls reminiscences of those early days. 

Ralph Roberts for a long time with the Boehner Store takes a position 
with a business house at Shenandoah. Jake Speer is proprietor of the Mal- 
vern Feed Store. 

Mrs. D. G. Schanck dies at the home of her daughter Mrs. Wyant. Fred 
Jefirys is the new photo man. 

Salary of Malvern Postoffice reduced from $1400 to $1300. 

The teachers institute has just closed its session at Malvern and express 
thanks for the pleasant reception given them by the Woman's Club. 

Fahcr Curran is the pastor of the Catholic Church. Tyler Bros, are the 
Racket Store men. 

The firm of the Boehner Mercantile Co. is dissolved, Mr. Hawkins buy- 
ing Mr. Boehner's interests and he will continue the business with Fred 
Mulholland as manager. 

The Malvern Hose Company of the Malvern fire department, holds its 
place at the head of the procession, at the Atlantic tournament, keep the 
cup and wins their share of the cash prizes. 

A. E. Byers sells his residence property to Fred Mulholland. 

A lodge of Woodmen of the World organized with the following officers: 
O. J. Davis, F. C. Harris, J. C. Taylor, A. E. Cook, J. E. Knight, V, W, 
Beeson, George LaFrance and Dr. S. A. Campbell. 

Gibson's cash price list August 19th, 1897: 17 pounds best Granulated 
sugar $1.00, 6 pounds good bulk coffee $1.00, one good broom for 10c, 3 
thirty cent brooms for 50c, 2 fancy brooms for 25c, 60 grain vinegar for 
20c, Young America cheese 10c, full Cream Cheese 2 pounds for 25c, 10 
bars best soap for 25c, 2 pound package oatmeal 5c, 1 pound package best 
starch 5c, 1 pound package best corn starch 5c, 2 bars best soap 5c, 3 cans 
Columbia River Salmon 25c, 2 gallons best coal oil 25c, 5 gallons coal oil 
60c, 24 pounds bolted meal 20, fresh soda crackers per pound by box 5c, 
6 pounds best bulk starch 25c, Will pay for eggs balance of this week 7c. 

M. J. Higgins a good dependable citizen of Malvern for many years, 
answers the last roll call, and is mustered out of life's service. 

Mr. J. Ash of Essex buys the grocery stock of J. G. Fleming. 



82 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



Malvern is again honored by the old settlers picnic and neighborly 
gathering of Mills, Fremont and Pottawatamie counties, 5000 of them 
get together. Hon. Smith McPherson is the orator of the day. Mrs. Sar- 
ah A. Abel gets the chair premium for longest continuous residence. 

Mrs. Mary Wooding dies at her home in Peaceville suburbs, 84 years 
of age. 

M. S. Conrad is the new helper at Gibson's. Ralph Roberts after a 
while away returns and takes a place at Hawkins store. 

Miss Jennie Brohard and Rev. J. A. Mehan are united in the bonds of 
matrimony at the Baptist Church and leave for a home at Lake City, la. 

Fenno Smith is the efficient manager of the Green Bay Lumber Co. Mr. 
and Mrs. Harris and daughter Mollie after a long absence return to Mal- 
vern. 

The Mills County Agricultural Society officers decide not to have an 
exhibit this year, 1897. 

Death of Mr. G. W. Flowers, a short time resident of Malvern. Mr. C. 
C. Reed and family, desirable citizens move to Cameron, Mo. Mr. Reed 
will continue as salesman for the S. N. Y. Co. 

Mr. C. W. Black is making extensive additions to his home. 

Our chicken fanciers J. C. Maguire and O. J. Davis are officers in the 
South Western Poultry Association and the first annual show is held at 
Malvern. 

Apple crop not very good. October 21, 1897, Cold Storage buyers are 
paying from 75c to $1.00 per bushel for Wine Saps, Ben Davis and Rom- 
an Stem. 

Rev. W. W. Hallam, pastor of Christian Church. G. W. Wyant ships 
out four cars of corn for which he paid 17 and 17% cents per bushel. 

The Misses Hazel Campbell, Lillian Chantry and Nellie Churchill invite 
their friends to a corn husking bee in Dr. Campbell's barn. Miss Marlon 
Black and James Evans are the champion buskers. 

The wife of Charlie Adams former residents at Malvern dies at her 
later home in Omaha. Mr. Will Guyer of Glenwood takes Drury's place 
as operator at the Q. 

1897, Union Thanksgiving service at the M. E. Church, Rev. E. W. 
Brown delivering the sermon. 

A woman's Relief Corps, an auxiliary of Milton Summers Post, organ- 
ized. Mrs. Thos. Paul. President; Mrs. A. J. Chantry, Senior; Mrs. C. W, 
Black, Secretary; Mrs. R. J. Bently, Treasurer; Mrs. M. J. Higgins, Chap- 
lain; Mrs. A. J. Kronsbein, Conductor; Mrs. M. F. Beckwith, Assistant; 
Mrs. M. Weaver, Guard; Mrs. G. W. Ewing, Assistant. 

Our old band have blov.-n away and a new one is organized for genuine 
business with W. H. Replogle as instructor, N. Jacobs Assistant, F. Degen- 
hart Treasurer, H. C. Wills business manager. 

Dakin Miller is a student at Amity College, and is as handy a kicker at 
football as a pitcher on the diamond. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 83 



Rev. Walburn performs the ceremony that unites two of our young 
people by the marriage vows, Mr. Arva Burrus and Miss Grace Landis. 

Saturday, December 18th, 1897, the grim messenger death calls Mr. 
Wm. A. Hunter of Malvern, a strong courageous man for truth, justice and 
right living, pressing his views, in advance of the times on the great moral 
questions of the day. Age prevented an active business career here and 
his sons S. L. and S. C. Hunter assume the duties as good and useful citi- 
zens after the father's teachings. 

Mrs. John Chambers dies at the home in Malvern, only a few hours 
from usual health, to the quiet sleep of death. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers 
were truly pioneers, coming to the county in 1853. 

At Mrs. A. E. Wilson's home in Malvern, the marriage of her daughter 
Etta to Chas. W. Boles, December 29th, 1897. 

Malvern students away at school are home for the holidays. John Mont- 
gomery, Albert Benton and Gay Smith from Simpson College, May and 
Fred Welpton from Tabor College, Addie Ward from Mt. Pleasant, Marie 
Christy from Nebraska University and Dakin Miller from Amity College. 

January 6th, 189 8, Wm. Bennett, an early resident of Malvern and a 
worker dies and is laid beside his wife in our silent city. 

Our aged business friends, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander quit and their little 
stock of groceries is sold at auction and friends pay good prices. 

Rev. Richard Venting is holding a series of revival meetings with great 
interest to the public. 

Henry Sloneker is building a cottage home on 2nd Avenue. Mrs. B. 
F. Barnet dies. 

Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Lake and family become residents of Malvern and 
Mr. Lake opens a shop for shoe repairing in Mr. Speers feed store. 

J. F. McKibben builds a cottage home and a barn on lots south of 
Garman Hotel. 

Miss Mattic Hawkins and Mr. Walter Boles take a joy ride to Sidney 
and get married. 

Harlan Travis resigns his position at Groses furniture store. 

The town calaboose is sold by Mayor DuShane to Talbott for $5 and 
Talbott sells it at a profit of one dollar to Mr. Hedlund for a pig pen. 

Mr. P. M. Cadwell from Woodbine is a new arrival as a citizen and is 
getting acquainted with the people at the blacksmith shop of E. E. Bush- 
nell. 

John Getman a long time resident of Malvern dies at his home in south 
west part of town, and Mr. John Chambers follows his wife who passed 
away a few months ago, through the portals of the dead. 

H. A. Norton trades his livery stable and stock to G. W. Wyant for 80 
acres of Kansas land. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Bushnell are mourning the death of their little four 
year old son Paul. 



84 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

J. E. Skadan is building a buggy and carriage wareroom adjoining his 
implement warehouse. 

Some of our citizens have a bad attack of the Klondike fever and are 
going to have a consultation with a gold doctor in Alaska. Mr. A. B. 
Hawkins, Fenno Smith and Bert Tutton are about ready to start. 

Mr. J. W. McNulty succeeds R. Fenno Smith as local manager of Green 
Bay Lumber Co. 

Totton Bros, sell their grocery stock to Mr. H. A. Deardorff from Yale, 
Iowa. A masque valentine party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Brown 
in honor of their daughter Georgie's 13th birthday. 

The Mills County Savings Bank is closed and the business taken up and 
continued as a private bank under the name of Wearin and Barnes bank- 
ers. 

Newly elected officers of the town, Fred Zanders, Mayor; C. S. Royce, Re- 
corder; Jas. J. Wilson, Treasurer; J. S. Miller, Assessor; J. T. Ward and 
F. C. Harris councilmen 

Mr. Beats from Villisca is lessee of the creamery. Mr. C. W. Haynes 
and family become residents of the town. 

J. D. Paddock succeeds Geo. S. Wilson as Post Master, March 1st, 1898, 
and Frank S. Higgins comes from the Leader office as deputy. 

The Ladies Cemetery Association elect officers: Mesdames Strahan, 
Angel, Woodrow, Miller, Hough, Ewing, Axtel and Miss Place. Frank 
Morford, Sexton. 

Miss Ella Miller is acting as Assistant Cashier at Wearin and Barnes 
Bank. 

The courts are working diligently to get the business of J. C. Taylor 
straightened out. Miss Grace Mulholland is a new helper at the Hawkins 
Store. 

At the Robinson home in the Peaceville precinct, the daughter Miss 
Jessie is united in marriage to Mr. Emory Crawmer. 

War has been declared with Spain. The nation wants soldiers and the 
following named young men have enlisted: Eddie Harris, Ward Jonos, 
Dick Paul, Claude Vandcvert, Newton Pool, Ira Mullen, Burr Ireland, 
Will Kline Jr., Clarence VanOrsdel, Frank VanDoren, Elwood Barrack 
and Oakley Vandevert and Lieut. Harry Dull of Glenwood, formerly a 
Malvern boy. 

Mr. B. W. Potter and family from Oregon make Malvern their home. 

Memorial day sermon delivered by Rev. Hallam, the Christian pastor. 
Mrs. B. F. Jones dies at her home in the north west part of town. 

Rev. E. W. Brown preaches a practical helpful baccalaureate sermon 
to the graduating class for 1898, Myrtle L. Byers, Maud A. Crow, Anna 
Moore, Grace Van Orsdel and John R. Wills. 

"The Bell" the new general store opens up their stock in the Byers 
building. Miss Sadie Paddock is the assistant at the Post Office wicket. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 85 



Joe Vickery and Frank Harris, two bright town lads are drowned today 
in the treacherous water holes in Silver Creek near the Tabor bridge. 

President McKiniey's second call for troops is responded to promptly 
and a company is formed of the following enlistments and is drilling and 
getting ready for effective service: Captain A. A. Walburn, 1st Lieut. 
Richard E. Gidley, 2nd Lieut. James B. Evans, Orderly Seargent Geo. 
Richard E. Gidley, 2nd Lieut. James B. Evans, Orderly Seargen Geo. 
Perdue and other officers and privates as per list below. Willis Summers, 
Forrest R Chantry, E. W. Shanks, John Miller, F. A. Hammond, Ford 
Ewalt, Chas. Smith, Guy Welpton, J. Gay Smith, James Follett, A. M. 
White, Albort Marshal, Frank Van Doren, J. H. Jones, Ray 
R. Wilkinson, Harry Landis, Bernie Donner, Edwin L. 
Hill, C. Shechan, Chas. Adams, I. R. Rains, R. E. Boles, Ray W. Sham- 
blin, S. J. Anderson, Bob Masters, John L. Baird, Jamuel 
Show, John E. Smith, E. R. Clay, Wm. Andrews, Geo. C. Masters, W. M. 
Evans, Henry Meadows, Timothy Walters, J. R. Wills, Alva D. Donner, 
Geo. W. Talbott, O. T. Boles, J. W. Harlan, Will Donner, Claud Pease, D. 
S. Meadows, Aaron Kohl, Dell Harris, Earl S. Hubbard, Marion Baker, 
E. J. Armstrong, O. C. Page, Dwight Swain, Alton Swain, 
W. P. Finchem, Wilbur McGill, E. C. Fuller, H. C. Lyon, Rollin Coppoc, 
Bert Hammond, Arthur Wolfe, Robt. Ranne, Jean Vilbow. The Malvern 
boys previously enlisted are now at Camp McKinley in the 51st Iowa 
waiting orders. 

"Get your Laundry work done at home," is the request of the steam 
laundry manager, W. A. Barkus. 

Geo. W. Dyar Bakery and Restaurant west of Leader office. 

The happy mating of some of our young people. Frederick E. Mulhol- 
land and Annie E. Aistrope are united in marriage by Rev. W. J. Watson, 
at the home of Mr. and Mrs. T. M. Aistrope. At the home of Mr. S. C. 
Hunter, Harry A. Wilson and Miss Jennie Jordan take the marriage vows. 

Mathew Higgins the popular clerk of the cottage meets with a terrible 
accident while at the wabash train, one foot so crushed that amputation 
was necessary. He has the sympathy of the community expressed to him 
by a contribution of a neat little sum of money for his benefit. 

Our attorney H. J. Baird has pleaded his own case at court so eloquent- 
ly, that he wins his suit with Miss Edna L. Wrenwick of Glenwood and 
they form a life partnership. 

Mr. A. L. Monroe from Omaha buys the photo business of Mr. Jeffrys 
and Charlie Cleaver buys the Chambers residence. 

Our business men are studying the law of the stamp act that becomes 
effective today, to meet the expense of our war with Spain. History which 
is about to repeat itself in a short time now. 

The firm of N. B. Smith is now Smith Bros. Willie Caldwell who has 



86 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

been a faithful helper with Mr. O. J. Davis at the Wabash for three years, 
is promoted to the position of night operator at Shenandoah. 

Special rate of 95c railroad fare for the round trip from Malvern to 
the Omaha exposition. 

U. G. King, the contractor is building a neat cottage home for Arva 
Burrus south of the school building. 

Geo. L. Cleaver has been quite a frequent visitor at Red Oak, and the 
consumation of the visits is his marriage today, August 24th, 1898, to 
Miss Helen Byrkitt at the Byrkitt home. 

Mr. Gemmill removes from Malvern and Miss Maloy one of his helpers 
goes to the Hawkins Store. 

A baby girl takes up her residence at the home of Mr. and Mrs. O. A. 
Strahan. 

One of the pleasant gatherings at the opening of the year 1899, was a 
men's social at the fine home of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Strahan, in response 
to cards of invitation announcing that it would be their pleasure to enter- 
tain Mr. Strahan's old time friends at dinner on Thursday, January 12th, 
1899. It was a men's party, but there were a few ladies present and they 
made it a success in every way. Guests were requested to register, the 
year of their coming to the county, place of nativety and age. Fifty six 
were present. The earliest settler was Dr. Campbell, whom the stork 
brought in 1851. The oldest one present was Mr. David Duncan, aged 
86 years. The long one Mr. W. G. Summers 6 feet, 5 inches. The short 
one Mr. M. Cunningham 5ft, 3 inches. The heavy v/eight Mr. John Dyson 
2371/^ lbs. and the light weight J. D. Paddock 135 lbs. The places of their 
nativity, 50 of them born in the states and six in foreign lands. The din- 
ner was a bountiful one and the well fed guests, after a pleasant time of 
social chat, expressed to the host and hostess their appreciation of their 
welcome and hospitality. With cheers and a hearty hand clasp each one 
went their way, with the memory of the passing of a pleasant day. 

March 6, 1899, occurred the terrible tragedy of the death of Mrs. M. 
P. Steele and baby at Tyndall, South Dakota, from gasoline explosion. 
Mrs. Steele will be remembered as Miss Chatta Guilford and her acquaint- 
ance with the people over the counter at the bank of Strahan & Christy. 

Mrs. Steele and two little ones were in the room when the explosion 
occurred. Mrs. Steele and baby were fatally burned, and death came 
soon to relieve their terrible sufferings. The little son escaped the flames 
from the deadly gasoline, now grown, and a resident of Malvern. 

Cessation of hositilities betv/een our country and Spain, and a treaty 
of Peace is signed by President McKinley, February 10th, and the Queen 
Regent of Spain, March 27th, 1899. Only four months of actual war, but 
a long four months of suspense to those of our people who had loved ones 
on the battle line. As it will be to those who at this writing are anxiously 
watching the trend of the world conflict and listening and waiting for 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 87 

overtues of Peace, to be made on the basis of the proclamation of cen- 
turies ago, "Peace on earth, good will toward men." 

Have no further records from August, 1898 to August 1900. 
Orel Jones is pharmacist at W. D. Wilson's store. Rev. E. W. Brown 
resigns as pastor of Presbyterian church. A. D. Avrill assumes the duties 
of his father, as landlord of the cottage. 

The corps of teachers for the coming year 1900: J. B. Morris, Super- 
intendent; May Miller, Principal; A. I. Jones, Assistant; Amelia Green. 
Jessie Cheney, Marie Foss, Emma Young and Florence Ockerson. 

C. M. Nicholas sells nis meat marKet to Cozad and Fleharty. Mr. Me 
Mahill is proprietor of the art studio. Dr. Corbin presents the medical 
practice of Osteopathy. 

Miss Agnes Maguire is with Miss Clara West in the millinery store. 
Miss Lavina Potter and Mr. W. E. Ryan are married at the Potter hom^. 

An important business change is effected to day September 1st, 1900, 
when E. B. Brown transfers his interests in the Malvern Leader to W. P. 
Wortman. 

There has been a good many changes in owners and editors of our 
town papers since H. A. and Wm. Copeland, struck off the first issue of 
the MillsC ounty Chronicle, October 15th, 1870, with pluck and wind 
constituting the greater part of their capital. June. 1872, "Billy" receiv- 
ed his appointment as Post Master of Malvern and he associates with him, 
Mr. Robt. Aiton as helper in its management. After a short term as Post 
Master he takes up again the work of the paper for a while and sells out 
to James I. Rist who, was followed in short terms as managers and own- 
ers by J. K. DeWolf and Robt. Aiton. Early in 1874, it passed to the 
ownership of Mr. Fred Boehner and was in about six months moved by 
him, plant, name and all to Emerson, la. A few months previous to the 
removal of the Chronicle by Mr. Boehner, Mr. H. G. Rising from Illinois 
sets up a plant and starts a new paper named the Leader. October .5th, 
1877, the first number of another paper is issued, named the Mills County 
Republican, with Mr. Robt. Aiton as editor, and during the years 1878 
and '79 we find at different times the names of J. K. DeWolf, Chas. E. 
Crosby and E. P. Leland at the mast head as pilots of the craft. Mr. Ris- 
ing edits the Leader a year or two and sells his interests to Ed F. Korns 
and J. M. Kelley and they in turn on February 20th, 1878, convey their in- 
terests to Mr. J. D. Morris, who gives out his announcement as editor in 
chief. Competition is good to a certain degree, in all lines of business, 
but when overdone it tends to cripple the efficiency, and prevent a high 
standard of usefulness. Two papers in a small town or territory are too 
much for party interests and business men to keep up to the standard. 
In 1880, the two papers, The Leader and The Mills County Republican 
were merged in one as The Republican Leader, Parrish and Morris pro- 
prietors. In 1882, the plant is purchased by Messrs. S. C. Hunter and 



88 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



E. B. Brown from Red Oak under firm name of Hunter & Brown. In 
18 85, the voters elected Mr. Brown to the office of County Auditor. The 
duties of that office calling him to Glenwood, he sells his interests to his 
partner and the new firm name is S. C. Hunter & Co. At the close of his 
term of office, contrary to the usual custom, Mr. Brown leaves Glenwood 
and returnes to his old home town again. . The Hunters v,^ishing to retire 
from the active duties of the paper, Mr. Brown with Bert Mulholland and 
Clyde Wills, as associates purchase the business under the firm name of 
E. B. Brown & Co., June 30, 1889, Mr. Brown takes entire control, and 
continues its publication until Sept. 1st, 1900, he sells out to Mr. W. P. 
Wortman, who up to the present writing is yet in control of the paper, 
the Malvern Leader, the longest continuous term of service. 

The South West lowan, a newspaper was started in 1898, representing 
the interests politically of the free silver wing of the demacratic party. 
Mr. Chas. M. Rice was the editor and manager for two years or more 
when it came under the management successively of L. W. Boehner, Bert 
Mulholland and P. P. St. Clair, until about 1905, Mr. J. R. Graham took 
charge and worked valiently for its success, until 1909, when it was de- 
cided to discontinue its publication. As we look back over these inter- 
vening years, and call to mind our acquaintance Avith these men as citi- 
zens of the town and the important unterests they have largely controlled 
in the publication of good clean healthy newspapers, they have been 
potent factors for good in the community and in the history building of 
the town. Those of them who have not finished the journey of life are 
now making history in other places as citizens of the commonwealth. 

At the home of Mrs. H. V. Evans, to day September 25, 1900, her daugh- 
ter Mattie is married to Mr. Mark Hovey of Chicago, Rev. E. W. Brown 
officiating. 

Mr. M. E. Seeley of Griswold offers to build a Steam flouring mill at 
Malvern for a town site and $800.00 cash. 

Mr. D. R. Martin is one of our busy carpenters. 

At the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Churchill, their daughter Nellie is 
married to Mr. W. A. Black, both bride and groom grown from childhood 
to manhood and womanhood in Malvern homes. 

Mr. W. E. Burks sells his nice home place in Peaceville to W. A. Beck- 
ett, the Q mail route clerk. 

Mina Nichols buys Mrs. Randall's home on Douglas Street. Mr. Seely, 
the owner of the new flouring mill moves his family to Malvern. 

Miss Lillian Belle Beckwith and Dennis Frost are married at the home 
of the bride. 

The diversity of opinion as to the best method of saving our country is 
expressed in the seven headings of the national ballott for year 19 00 elec- 
tion: Republican, Democratic, Prohibition, Peoples, Socialistic Labor, 
United Christian, and Social Democratic. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 89 



At the home of Mrs. Eliza J. Aistrope, November 14, 1900, the mar- 
riage of her daughter Miss Birdie Aistrope to Mr. Seymour J. Rhodes of 
Fort Lupton, Colo., by Rev. P. H. McDowell. As they leave for their 
Colorado home the young friends of the bride get hilarious and tag their 
baggage to their destination with old shoes and white ribbon and throw 
enough rice in confetta showers to feed a chinaman for many moons. 

Talbott, Bushnell & Wortz, Implement Dealers. The Bank of Malvern, 
I. F. Hendricks, Pres. ; W. H, Guyer, Cashier. David Elson, J. P. Retels- 
dorf & Robrahn, Tailors. Miss A Jones, Millinery. 

Malvern Fire Department elect officers: W. C. Wortz, Chief; Chas. 
Brothers and Frank Churchill, Assistants; F. S. Higgins, Treasurer; W. 
H. Guyer, Secretary; F. Degenhart, N. D. Smith and H. C. Wills, Trustees. 

Brevier Brown is assisted by his classmates in celebrating his 15th 
birthday, Edward Higgins, Carl Harris, Harry Wearin, Corwin Byers, Al- 
bert Baird, Delia Clements, Ethel Norton, Ethel Cunningham, Edith 
Davis, Mary Evans, Myrtle Bushnell, Olive Hammond, Harriett Benton, 
Ina Mason. 

Jess Bell purchases the Whitmer property. H. A. Norton buys Mrs. 
Buells home place on boundary Street. 

Mrs. Mattie Evans Hovey dies to day November 27, 1900, at hre Chi- 
cago home. The many friends who wished her joy and happiness at the 
wedding festivities a few months ago, now follow in the funeral proces- 
sion as the body is laid away in our place of the dead. 

Miss Eula VanVranken is teacher of 9th and 10th grades. 

Squire Elson married his first couple today, Mrs. Mary Drake and Mr. 
Joe Myers. 

Albert Marshall goes to Council Bluffs for a wife. Miss Mary L. Wilson. 

The M. W. A. Lodge elect officers: H. J. Baird, L. Stewart, W. H. Guyer, 
James Maguire, Mat Conrad, J. E. Norris and H. E. Thomas. 

Harlan Foulks has his 4th birthday party and his playmates, Ruth 
Boehner, Mary McNulty, Mabel Zanders, Eunice Travis, Katherine Smith, 
Katherine and Eleanor Mellor, Tommy Cunningham, Homer Wills and 
Robert Hough, help him celebrate. 

The startling casuality and topic of the afternoon has been the death of 
little Inez Gibson at the home of her foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. D. 
Gibson and the tragic manner of the little one's death. The brother Otto 
and Inez had been playing upon the porch and lawn below when Inez 
tiring of the play wanted Otto to go with her up stairs to the playroom, 
and she run up the stairs, but the brother remained below just a little 
while when he too climbed the stairs, and was dazed and horrified to find 
his little sister hanging in the open closet from her room with the jump- 
ing rope about her neck. He worked frantically to take her down, but 
unable to do so rushed to his uncle and aunt at the store. Mr. Gibson 
quickly reached the scene, and placed the little form upon her bed, and 
when doctors Scott and Love arrived every effort possible was made to 



»0 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

bring too the life, but it was of no avail, it had gone. There could be no 
verdict rendered but accidental death. The deepest sympathy of the 
whole community goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Gibson in this sad and tragic 
bereavement that has come to them. The funeral service at the home by 
Rev. H. P. McDowell and the little casket that is covered with beautiful 
flowers is taken to place of burial. 

Students home for holiday vacation: Thomas Gidley, Edmund Roberts 
and John Summers from Ames; Lillian and Marshall Cunningham, State 
University at Lincoln; Mary Goodwin, Council Bluffs; Nellie Bentley, 
Simpson College; Olive Hyde Hyde, Drake University; Florence Hunter, 
Tabor; Hazel Campbell, Omaha Medical School. 

January 1901, The S. N. Y. Co. send out four salesmenon the road, J. 
A. Tyler, Frank Goodwin, W. D. Roberts and M. Creelman. 

New Year's day ladies that keep open house, Mesdames C. W. Black, 
W. C. Haynes, N. D. Smith, Dr. Scott, A, J. Wearin, H. E. Boehner and 
Dr. Campbell. 

Dwight Swain is helper at W D. Wilson's Drug Store. 

James Anderson, a citizen of Malvern is accidentally shot, dying in- 
stantly, by the discharge from a gun in the hands of John Garvin. 

At the Elson home their daughter Viola is married to Mr. Chas. O. Hart- 
man, Rev. McDowell tying the tie. 

L. H. Biddinger and family move to Pacific Junction. Mellor & Co. 
transfer their business interests to C. S. Royce and Walter Smith, Mr. 
Royce taking the drug stock and Mr. Smith the Jewelry. 

J. C. Brown is in the real estate and Insurance business. 

Mrs. Julia Betts, the founder of the Cottage Hotel dies at her daugh- 
ter's home in Chicago, but at her request, the funeral service was held 
over the casket in the Malvern Christian Church, which was a place very 
dear to her, and then taken to Glenwood for burial. 

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Landis move into their new home on prospect Ave. 

Geo. Smith buys the Tunison Restaurant business. G. W. Bates dies at 
his home in Malvern. Mr. Bates was a retired minister of the M. E. 
Church, a winning, scholarly man, an officer in the Civil War. 

Dr. Love and family remove to Beatrice, Nebr., a good opening occur- 
ring to take up an established practice. 

To day, February 20th, 1901, Miss Mary Idell Bentley and Mr. Alva 
Donner are married at the Bentley home. 

An assistant to the Mayor takes possession of the O. J. Davis home. 

We make record of the death of Judge Lewis W. Tubbs at his Emerson 
home, February 28, 1901, a genial kindly man, a good friend, an early 
settler, a history maker of State and County and a starter of the town. 

Miss Ellen Hawkins, a life long resident of Malvern and Mr. Chas. Har- 
vey make an evening call on Pastor McDowell and go away as husband 
and wife. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 91 

A marriage ceremony at the G. W. Wyant home uniting the daughter 

Miss Alice and Mr. Henry Aistrope. 

Mr. W. W. Wills after 26 years of citizenship in Malvern makes a new 
home in Des Moines. 

Dr. Laird purchases the residence of S. B. Barnes and W. E. Burks buys 
the Bennett property on Douglas Street. 

A. E. Cook and C. M. Rice are elected as members of the school board. 

A sudden death summons comes to day, March 2 2d, to the H. E. Boeh- 
ner home, Mrs. Boehner dying quite suddenly. One of the little band who 
came together for homes in Malvern in 1870. 

Malvern market quotations, March, 1901: Corn 31c, Wheat 55c, Oats 
25c, Potatoes 50c, Best butter 15c, Eggs 10c, Cattle $4.00 to $4.75, Hogs 
$5.50. 

Mr. Seeley touches the button and electric power starts the new flour- 
ing mill machinery, March, 1901. 

Mrs. J. T: Ward's gentle spirit takes its flight from the frail body that 
had been kept alive a long time by her wonderful courage and ambition 
to live, for loved ones in the home and friends associated with her in 
Christian service. 

Twelve homeless children arrive in Malvern to day, April 4th, 1901, 
from the Children's Aid Society New York, to find homes, and all were 
placed in good homes. 

Pastors of the churches: A. E. Slothower of M. E. Church, P. H. Mc 
Dowell of Baptist Church, Alexander Corkey of Presbyterian Churf*h, 
Wessel Stephenson of Christian Church. 

O. J. Davis buys the A. L. Chantry residence, consideration $1800.00. 

The Ladies Cemetery Association e ect officers, Mrs. J. M. Strahan, Mrs. 
Leslie Summers, Mrs. Anna Goodwin, Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson, Mrs. Sophia 
Otis, Mrs. Angel, Mrs. James Miller, J. D. Barrack sexton. 

Best grade of flour from the new mill, $1.00 per sack. C. C. Baird, 
assessor of Malvern renders report taken. Real Estate $384,000, Personal 
Property $333,980.00 

A. J. Kronsbein, the hardware man is building a fine home on Douglas 
Street, Will Mc Cullough contractor. 

Death comes into another home and takes the mother, Mrs. S. T. Broth- 
ers, one of the pioneers of the county and of Malvern. 

Mrs. Fishback, Store for the latest styles of Millinery goods. The Pres- 
byterian church remember their oldest brother, David Duncan, on his 89th 
birthday and hand him a loving token of a purse each of pennies, silver 
and gold. 

Mr. Geo. Conrad and wife move from their farm home, to a home in 
town. Harry Lyon is a new helper at Gibson's. Mr. H. B. Gregory leases 
the orc^jjriery plant. Gerhard Nellen, wife and daughter move to a new 
home at Wellington, Kansas. 



92 BRIEF -HISTORY OF MALVERN 



Across the border to make record of the death today, May 16th, 1901, 
of Mr. W. G. feummers, one of the quartet of the four Summers brothers 
who pioneered to the new west in 1855 and 1856. 

Clarence Boone makes purchase of the stock of the Guenther Bros. 
Livery Barn. Mr. C. M. Pierce, Variety Store man. 

S. B. Barnes and I. W. Skadan are loading their household goods today 
for a Nebraska Ranch life for a while. T. J. Moses is our resident stock 
buyer. 

The Malvern Woman's Club elect officers: Mrs. W. P. Wortman, Presi- 
dent; Miss Black, Vice President; Mrs. Hendricks, Recording Secretary; 
Mrs. Scott, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. Laird, Treasurer and Mesdames 
Campbell, Young, Royce and Miss Retelsdorf, leaders of departments. 

Our grocers are bidding high, 9c dozen for eggs and 12c pound for 
good butter. 

W. G. Wagner, a well liked agent of the Q. at Malvern for a long time 
is promoted high up in railroad service. 

Some dropped threads caught up from missing records, that must have 
their part in the narrative of events, and wo write them in here. 

Mr. Chas. Hanley, now of Shenandoah Rev. C. S. Hanley was for the 
year 1876, a partner with Mr. E. Korns in the publication of the Leader, 
tout having a favorable opportunity to purchase the Riverton Advocate, 
he sells his half interest to Mr. Korns. 

In July, 1899, Mr. Fred Durbin comes as student from school and his 
farm home to Malvern, and takes a position in the Strahan and Christy 
Bank. He fills the position with credit and stays with them In addition 
to his regular salary, he is permitted to draw a draft on the banker for his 
daughter. November 27, 1901, the draft is honored by his marriage at 
the Christy home to Miss Marie Christy. 

W. G. Bingaman is proprietor of the south side feed store. 

There are fifteen graduates in the 19 01 class: Ethyl A. Norton, Brevier 
Brown, Harriet Benton, Corwin Byers, Olive Hammond, Ed Higgins, Ina 
Mason, Myrtle Bushnell, Albert Baird, Delia Clement, Harry Wearin, 
Edith Davis, Carl Harris, Ethel Cunningham, Mary Evans. 

John Perdue is mail carrier from the Q. 

The wedding ceremony at the W. C. Haynes home today, June 26th, 
19 01, is quite a social event. The marriage of the daughter, Miss Mayme 
Haynes to Mr. Adel Avrill, united by the strong bonds of love and wed- 
lock by Rev. Alex. Corkey. 

Prof. Moser, musical instructor, assisted by Mrs. Moser, Mrs. C. E. 
Burrus and Mr. Nettleton, the violinist of Tabor, gave a very pleasing 
musicale last evening at the Moser home. 

J. L. Buckingham & Son, Restaurant and Lunch room, west of the 
Leader office. 

The Bridges brothers, Vernon and Prank with their talented wives, have 
been touring the country with good success, in creating an educational 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 93 



interest in music and giving the people interesting programs of musical 
entertainment. 

Fenno Smithi goes to Omalia for bargains and takes Miss Marie Morrow 
for a wife, and starts himself in business by purchase of the grain elevator 
of Mr. Barnes. 

From the starting of Malvern, it has drawn away from time to time the 
resources of White Cloud, which has helped much in our village life, and 
now comes the discontinuance of the Post Office there, which closes the 
interesting history of a pioneer village of 45 years. Mr. W. G. Summers 
was the first post master in 1858, and several successors to Mr. Summers 
have held the keys for long and shorter terms. Mr. James S. Miller now 
a resident of Malvern being the longest term holder of the office, over 14 
years, Mr. Bishop and Mr. Mears, being the last ones in charge. The 
benefits and practical results of rural free delivery service in the eastern 
states had been demonstrated and it is extended by government to the 
more western states. In the fall of 1901, the preliminary work of plan- 
ning routes, getting signatures of those wishing to avail themselves of 
the privilege and making requests for inspection were made by the Mal- 
vern office, and two routes were established out from Malvern and service 
commenced January, 1902, Richard Paul carrier for Route 1 and James 
Whitmer on Route 2, for delivery in the roadside boxes at the homes of 
country patrons. A great stride of advancement in the benefits to social 
and educational life in the homes on the farm. In consequence of this 
m;'ny offices were discontinued throughout the state. 

A fire breaks out in Miss West's millinery store, with disastrous results 
from fire and water to the delicate fabrics of ladies hats. 

The death toll list makes record of the passing away of Mr. A. H. Landis, 
a well known and respected resident of the county and the town. Of Mr. 
L. P. Anderson at his later home in Enid, Oklahoma, who was for many 
years a resident and a working force in sustaining and building up the 
better eleir.ents of life. Of Mrs. James Ryan, at the home of her daughter 
Mrs. W. L. Summers. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan were residents of the town for 
some ye?.rs in their home on .3rd aveniie. 

Our national holiday 1901 is celebrated in due form, Rev. Story of Glen- 
wood the patriotic orator of the day. 

Frank Bridges invests in Real Estate, buying the brick business build- 
ing of Wm. Kneeland, occupied by the firm of Smith Brothers. 

A base ball game is on to day between the printers and those who ad- 
vertise. The vendors of merchandise are winners after a warm and 
sweaty contest. 

Chester Cooksey sells his interest in the music business to his brother 
Frank. 

Mr. Harry Hoover, the painter and Miss Daisy Blackburn visit Rev. E. 
L. Stanton, at Glenwood and return to Malvern as a pair of newly weds. 



94 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

T. D. Gibson, the grocer sells out to A. E. Byers. 

Our barber shops consolidate, Larison and Minner in one and Thomas 
and Piatt In the other. 

W. D. Kayton sells his restaurant business to T. O. Clark and Retels- 
dorf Bros, open a new business in the same line. 

Miss Nettie Weller goes from the Iowa Telephone at Malvern to a posi- 
tion at Red Oak. 

Miss Edith Frizzell buys residence property of Mrs. Snyder on Chase 
Street. 

Geo. Talbott is 21 to day and his mother invites some of his chums in 
to mark the occasion, Ralph and C. R. Brothers, Will Guyer, Tot Maloy, 
Dan Robb, Dwight Swain, Ralph Roberts, Ed Wolf, H. C. Wills, Walt 
Mulholland, Robt. and Geo. Masters and Otto Retelsdorf and they made 
of it a red letter day. 

The Mills County Fair for 1901 was a winner in attendance and exhibits, 
all obligations paid and a little surplus, and the attraction of the closing 
contest for the prettiest and cutest baby on the fair grounds. Mr. and 
Mrs. C. M. Rice were the proud possessors of that treasure, the judges 
said. 

That visitor death who comes to all, the young as well as old, comes to 
the home of John Perdue and takes the wife and mother Hattie Dunn 
Perdue. 

To make the pattern more complete we catch up some more broken 
threads, that should have been in the records of 1894 and 1899, as they 
have had much to do since, in the every day life of the community. Karl 
Hertz and family for some years residents of the county, move into i.he 
village in 1894 and Mr. Hertz was a helper with Mr. Knight in the heavy 
lifting of County work, until 189 9, he buys the dray business of B. P. 
Barnet, the veteran drayman and is now himself at this writing getting 
gray in the service. 

It is only a small part at the best, of the world's business that one can 
accomplish in the ordinary span of life, but whatever that part might be, 
if it is well done, it is worthy of praise and of emulation. Mr. Barnett is 
worthy of special mention in the business history of the town, for his long 
continued faithful and conscientious service. Children have grown to men 
and women since he brought his first deliveries of goods, to the stores and 
shops. Hot or cold, wet or dry, it made no difference much in the regu- 
lar traffic of the dray line, that from day to day and year to year, made 
the owner, the most familiar acquaintance upon the street 

Malvern people mourn with the whole nation the tragic death of our 
President Wm. McKinley. 

J. C. Brown buys the business of Clarence Boone the Livery man. 

A bright baby boy comes to the home of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Mulholland. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 95 

C. E. Burris the Q Agent here is promoted to the Shenandoah Station and 
E L. Hibbs takes his place. 

Al Marshall moves to Council Bluffs. The Cold Storage Company have 
about 8000 barrels of apples in Storage. Dr. Humphrey buys the Wm. 
Donner property on First Avenue. 

Wm. Kneeland moves his clothing stock into the Strahan building and 
has a grand display opening. Will Thomas buys the E. I. Bowman prop- 
erty. Cha.rles Robbins and family locate in Malvern. 

A very large gathering from country and towns round about to hear 
Hon. W. J. Bryan speak. 

Mr. John Dunn buys the McCurdy property. Mrs. H. R. Roberts sells 
her home on Marion Avenue to Mrs. Carman. 

Mr. Hank Richmond after an absence from Malvern for some time re- 
turns and opens up a harness shop in the Baird building. 

Mr. J. W. Pointer is our new picture man. Bert Fugate is watching 
while business men sleep. 

December 26, 1901, the enrollment of the pupils of the schools is 280. 
The corps of teachers are G. L. Gilles, Miss Mae Miller, Miss Eula Van 
Vranken, Miss Amelia Green, Miss Jessie Cheney, Miss May Ladd, Mrs. 
Emma Young and Miss Elizabeth Hutchings. 

At the home of Mr. and Mrs. B. L. Byers, December 25, 1901, occurs 
the marriage of their daughter Myrtle to Mr. Bennett M. Terry of Little 
Sioux, Iowa, Rev. A. B. Adams officiating. 

New Year's day 19 02, was the 40th a,nniversary of the marriage of Mr. 
and Mrs. J. F. Christopher, and friends left with them some mementoes 
of the occasion. 

Miss Nellie Blades and Mr. J. W. Shenifiold are married at the home 
of Mrs. R. Foxworthy, the bride's mother. 

The festivities of the happy New Year soison is observed in many homes, 
in family gathering and 6 o'clock dinners. Among them at Mr. and Mrs. 
C. M. Rice, W. D. Evans, Mr. and Mrs. F. Higglus, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell 
anc' Mr. and Mrs. Laird. 

Union farewell services at the Baptist Church ss Rev. P. H. McDowell 
leaves Malvern to take up work at Winterset, Iowa. 

Hon. C. W. Black and wife leave today. January 2, 190 2, for the com- 
ing session of the State Legislature at Des Moines. Three former students, 
and foot ball players of Amity College meet together in town to day, Dak- 
iu Miller, Frank Van Doren and Frank BartJey. Miller has signed up 
with the white stockings club of base ball for 1902. 

Rev. Stephenson, pastor of Christian Church resigns and goes to church 
at Pierson, Iowa. 

The Malvern Odd Fellows Lodge hove inGtollaMon service, J. L. Talbott 
installing officer; L. Dunn, D. W. Wagner Reed Graves, W. C. Wortz, 



96 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

Charles Slater, John Robrahan, E. C. Graves, Arno Schaller, Grant Lewis, 
Rayburn Hurst, H. E. Mulholland, W. H. Guyer, A. J. Boston and W. R. 
McMullen. 

Elmer Abbott is manufacturer of brooms in the Hubbell building. 

February 6, 1902. Sleighing is fine and sleigh rides and coasting parties 
are the pleasure of the bright moonlight evenings. 

Mr. W. H. Grose has sold his furniture business to Mr. G. T. White of 
Massena, Iowa. Elder C. E. Pomeroy is the new minister of the Christian 
Church. 

The creamery business again changes hands, Mr. Gregory selling to 
Waterloo Creamery Co. Tom Butler sells residence property to Dan Lewis 
the oil man. 

Miss Alice Dull is trimmer at Mrs. J. J. Maurath's millinery store. Miss 
Elizabeth Somes has returned from her vacation and is again waiting on 
customers at The Chicago Dry Goods Co. Store. 

March 6th, 1902. We are all watching the surveys of the Q. R. R. to see 
whose door yard the new route is going to take. 

Miss Lillian Chantry is tendered the position of secretary for the Y. W. 

C. A. at Cedar Falls, Iowa. Evangelist Conn and his singer Mr. McKinley 
are holding revival meetings. 

Married to day, March, 1902, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Worth Kern- 
ey, their daughter Blanche to Dr. John Montgomery of Madison, Nebr. 
These young people have had such an active part in the school and social 
life of the town, that we make record of them in one of the three most im- 
portant events of a life. 

David Hearn from Avoca is a new helper with Hawkins & Mulholland. 
E. E. Bushnell and family move to Butte, Nebr., we would rather have 
them stay. 

April 3, 1902, the result of the town election J. L. Talbott, Mayor; W. 

D. Wilson and P. M. Cadwell, Councilmen; J. S. Miller, Assessor; J. J. 
Wilson, Treasurer; W. H. Guyer, Recorder 

H. J.Travis goes from White's furniture store, to take charge of the 
undertaking department at Talbott's. 

Mr. Emerson Brown and family whose bright threads of life for years 
are interwoven with Malvern history take their departure. Mrs. Brown 
deeply touched by the thoughts of separation makes a will bequeathing to 
some of her dear friends and neighbors in the Woman's Chib, a portion 
of her worldy possessions. Waiving the slow process of the law, the 
Misses Edna Scott and Ivy Campbell deliver the gifts at the meeting. The 
recipients of these valuable bequests, should they see these lines will re- 
call to mind the parting of the ways, with their dear friend Mrs. Brown. 

H. C. Wills a Malvern boy and man leaves to take a position with the 
Chesshire job printing office at Des Moines. P. V. Hawley, a resident cf 
Malvern in the early days, dies at his late home, Rochester, N. Y. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 97 



V. W. Beeson builds an addition to his business place and puts in a 
stock of farm implements. 

Miss Elva Pease and Mr. C. V. Parker married to day, April 2, 1902, at 
the home of the bride's mothers, by Rev. A. E. Slothower. 

We pass over the border to make record of the death to day, April 8th, 
1902, of Mr. Otha Wearin, a pioneer to the county years before the rail- 
road came and brought the later ones. 

C. M. Pierce buys the Rains meat market and will run it in connection 
with his other business. Colyer Boston purchases a home on Center 
Street and the C. A. Love property is sold to Boehner and Mulholland. 

April 10, 1902, Mr. Xanthus Imsl comes to Malvern and takes a posi- 
tion as foreman of the printing and job work department of the Leader 
plant, and is one of the staying kind, at this writing fifteen years later is 
yet on the job. 

Mr. J. P. Reteisdorf is building another brick residence as an invest- 
ment. 

H. E. Mulholland, the mannger of the South West lowan, and a former 
well known Malvern young lady. Miss Blanche Taylor are married at the 
home of the bride's parents in Sioux City, Iowa. 

The death summons comes today to Mr. T. J. Wilson at his home on 
Marion Avenue. Rev. IT. R. Waldo accepts a call to the Baptist Church 
as pastor. 

C. G. Harris from Hoirtredgo, Nebr., is the new jeweler at W. D. Wil- 
son's. Agent Wheat of the Wabash buys lots and is building a cottage 
home near the depot. 

Mr. S. S. Weidner and family make Malvern their home and Mr. Weid- 
ner soon commences work for the Malvern Dairy Co. and he must have 
been an efficient workman as he is yet serving customers at this writing, 
fifteen years later. 

Master Perry Hendricks has attained the age of eleven years and his 
school mates come and help him make the occasion a memorable one. 

Palmer and Company sell iheir lumber business to Crooks and Savage 
oi' Stuart, Iowa. Gladys Baird has her 9th birthday party. 

Rev. Alex. Corkey delivers the baccalaureate address to the graduating 
class of 1902. Laura Otis, Addle Churchill, Pearl Harris, Hugh Gibson, 
Lawrence Talbott, Walter Crow, Pearl Vandervert and Lottie Deardorff. 
Attorney Whitfield presents diplomas. 

Friends have been anxiously watching the serious illness of Mr. Thom- 
as Paul, which conquers ond takes the Ufe of a good citizen. 

D. W. Perley is another stock buyer. Allen Chantry one of our Mal- 
vern boys, wins first place in his class of nine in examination at the U. S. 
Naval School, Annapolis, Md. 

Loiti? Deardorff takes position at the Strahan and Christy bank.. Mrs. 
M. J. Newman purchases a home of Mrs. Pearl Montgomery. 



98 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

Mrs. Jane Sherman, "Aunty Sherman" dies to day, June 3, 1902, at her 
home place on 4th St.. Mrs. Sherman came to Mnlvern in 1876, to help 
in caring for an invalid mother and an aged father, Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin, 
When death came to them, she was alone with a Christians faith and trust 
only for company. Relatives wished to arrange it differently, but it was 
her choice. From a home of affluence and plenty, of love and companion- 
ship, a participant in the brilliant society life of Washington, the Capitol 
City, the vicissitudes of life in the death of the husband, the only tie of 
love of the home and the loss of property wrought the changes from 
the palatial home and companionship to the loneliness and privation of her 
little home shelter in Malvern. She kept patient, cheerful and trustful. 
Devoted near by neighbors. Hertz and Knight and other friends who were 
drawn to her by her pleasing personalitiy, watched and cared for her needs 
until the life closed. 

A salesman for a whip house at Westfleld, Mass., is the center of attrac- 
tion today as he guides a horseless carriage doM^n the street. He stops at 
Frank Degenhart's harness shop, and a crowd soon gather to see this 
wonderful mechanism of power. 

Dr. I. U. Parsons weds Miss Minnie Williamson at Council Bluffs and 
will soon be at home at Malvern. 

At the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Retelsdorf, their daughter Sophia is 
married to Mr. Geo. Haig of Red Oak. Prof. L. D. Salisbury is the newly 
elected Principal of our schools. 

The saddle turns as Donald Cunningham is mounting his horse today 
and he is dragged several rods before getting loose. One broken leg, a 
fractured shoulder and badly bruised body are the injuries, but he is 
plucky and stands the smash up. 

About the closing of the sports and festivities of July 4th, 1902, the 
alarm of fire was sounded. Fire had broken out in Wortz and Bushneil's 
big implement house. The fire boys soon got together and under the di- 
rection of Chief Wortz, fighting to save his own property, this time, it was 
kept from spreading, but a heavy damage to both building and stock. The 
fire fighters were remembered by a good contribution. 

Another one of those horseless buggies came through town today, and 
stopped to take a drink of gasoline. 

Rev. Alex. Corkey goes from the Malvern Presbyterian Church to the 
church at Fairfield, Iowa. Many friends regret his departure 

Mat Higgins resigns his position att he Chicago Dry Goods Co. Store 
and is going west. J. P. Retelsdorf after 28 years of honorable business 
in Malvern wants a vacation and sells to Mr. M. Hammes from Keota, la. 

At the A. W. Raines home, Rev. Corkey performs the ceremony that 
unites his daughter Mary and Mr. J. C. Greithuysen in marriage. A quiet 
wedding also at the Shire home, the daughter Nellie is married to Mr. J. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 99 

A. Hatfield. Another couple of our young people, Miss Bessie Weller and 
Richard Paul, the mail carrier, join hands and take the marriage vows. 

Malvern wins the championship at the Firemen's Tournament at Red 
Oak and bring home the cup. Rev. W. H. Cable succeeds A. E. Slothower 
as pastor of the M. E. Church. Mr and Mrs Arva Burrus have a fine boy 
baby left at their home. 

Mr. Elmer Abbott and Miss Maud Potter make a call on Rev. "Waldo at 
the Baptist parsonage and he performs the ceremony that makes them one. 
Frank Wills and Miss Carrie Stafiord agree to go quietly together along 
the ways of married life. Older lovers now Mr. H. A. Norton and Mrs. 
Nannie Anderson take the tie that binds. 

Carl Harris has taken up work at the Wabash Depot. Mr. Fred Davis 
and family move into town to see how they will like us. Mrs. J. Durbln 
and family move into the fine home they purchased last June of Mr. 
Wearin. Lee Donner is building a home on Marion Avenue. 

Miss Emma Watson is one of the business girls at the city central tele- 
phone office. 

J. L. Buckingham takes the restaurant business of Wearin & Dahr and 
buys property on 4th Street for his business. 

Will Caldwell goes to take charge of the Q Station at Clarinda. F. E. 
Mulholland buys the W. C. Haynes residence on Douglas Street. 

Mr. F. D. Kilpatrick, a prosperous farmer of White Cloud Township, 
invests some money in Malvern real estate, buying the former home of 
Clyde Wills that is in the way of the new Q route and moves the building 
on lots near Mr. S. Masters home. 

W. J. Tucker succeeds W. G. Wheat as agent of the Wabash. Will 
Miller buys the home of Ed Brown and moves from the farm to town. 
Dwight Swain is a helper at Kneeland's Store. 

Royal Neighbors Lodge elect officers: Mesdpmes Jennie Thomas, Laura 
Pease, Edna Baird, Mina Collins, Mary L. Maguire, Eva Hillier, Mattie 
Jones, Mary E. Thomas, Mattie Cozad, Luana Richards and Julia E. Norris. 

Mr. W. G. White who bought the lurniture business of Mr. Crose now 
buys his home also. Dec. 190 2. The steam shovel is busy tearing up the 
sf)il "or the new road bed of the C. B. & Q. 

Frank Higgins resigns as deputy at Mie post office to take up a line of 
insurance benight of Mr. W. C. Haynes. He will be missed at his accust- 
omed place. 

It is Christmas tide 190 2, and the festivities and glad gatherings of the 
holidays are on, pleasing entertainments at all the churches and friendly 
gatherings at the homes. 

December 31st, in the Cottage Hotel par'ors. Rev. Cable unites in m-^.r- 
ringe M'ss Florence Avrill to Mr. John S. Emerson of Hartington, Nebr. 

Tli.T old year 1902, out and the new one in, is the program of the 
Church pastors reception and watch night service at the Baptist church. 



100 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



Revs. Waldo, Cable and Pomeroy with their wives, and Mr. and Mrs. H. A. 
Wills representing the Presbyterian Church in absence of pastor were 
seated upon the rostrum and were kept busy shaking hands and receiving 
and giving New Year's greetings to the throngs that came, after which, 
talks of the old and hopes for the new, and a sermon by Rev. Cable until 
time was called at the birth of the new year 1903. 

We make record of the marriage on December 18th, of Miss Georgia 
Robey, to Dr. Wm. Parks Adamson, solemnized at the Baptist Church at 
Tampa, Florida, where the family reside. Miss Georgie with the family 
were residents here for a few years, and she was a favorite with all who 
came in companionship with her. 

Rev. Moore is the new pastor of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hammes 
buys a home, the early home of Mr.M. E. Boehner on Douglas Street. 

Mrs. J. J. Higgins is taken to St. Bernard Hospital at Council Bluffs, for 
treatment for paralysis, with which she was stricken some time ago. 

Harry Landis buys the hardware stock and business of Ed. B. Brown 
& Co., a business in the Brown family for thirty years. Jess Bell will be 
with him as his right hand man and helper. 

W. A. Mulholland buys the C. M. Pierce business. M. A. Chantry is the 
new man at the Post Office wicket 

Mrs. Poe Rickabaugh, a resident of Malvern for many years, and a kind- 
ly neighbor, dies at her later home, Omaha. 

Ordinance No. 42, to annex additional territory to Malvern, is passed 
by vote of citizens, enlarging our boundaries. 

Fred Tubbs having sold his interests in the dray line, goes to Omaha. 
Wm. Bell takes Jess Bell's place as night watch. 

David Hearn opens up a training school in athletics and physical cul- 
ture, in the Baird building. J. D. Barrack is helper at the Green Ba/ 
Lumber yard. Dick Beeson is agent of the Wabash Station. 

Dell Harris goes to Hastings for a wife. Miss Rose Berry. Mr. F.-ed 
Davis buys the Kneelpnd home. 

A quiet wedding at the Arva Burrus home, when Mrs. Burrus's xuotlier. 
Mrs. Hattie E. Landis is married to Mr. Wm. H. Cowperthwaite of Bush 
nell, 111., a renewal of old acquaintance of school days. 

February, 1903, Mr. James Whitmer resigns as mail carrier of Route 
No. 2 and J. C. Maguire is appointed to take his place. At this writing 
fourteen years later, Mr. Maguire is yet working for the post office depart- 
ment. The increased work added by the parcel post has been more than 
balanced by improved roads, by the coming of the auto car and increased 
compensation, since Mr. Whitmer and Paul started out on the new un- 
tried work of country mail delivery. 

We have some important threads of life history, from oversight and mis- 
sing records, that must be woven into the narrative of events to make it 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 101 

more complete. A quiet wedding ouf at the Peaceville home of Mr. and 
Mrs. E. A. Stone, Ocober 11, 1893, the daughter Minnie is married to Mr. 
Charles C. Slater. 

The ceremony is performed today, March 24, 1897, at the home of Rev. 
Mr. and Mrs. Morris, that unites in marriage their daughter Ida to Mr. 
Otis A. Strahan, Rev. Watson uniting them in the strong bonds of love 
and wedlock. 

Mr. Lenuie V. Davis the good bread maker at The Burrus Bakery goes 
to day March 22. 1899, to Glenw'ood for a wife. Miss Lulu Davis. A little 
change in title only of the name when she assumes the marriage relations. 

Mr. C. A. Mayberry comes to Malvern for his bride, November 15th, 
1899, Miss Ella May Tipton, Rev. Watson officiating. 

Miss Dora Alexander, a popular teacher in Malvern and the county 
schools is married today, June 20, 1900, at her mother's home, Mrs. S. 
A. Tipton, Malvern, to Mr. Frank Bishop of Indianola, la. 

At Mrs. F. M. Benton's home her daughter Mabel A., and Mr. Edwin 
Wolfe are married, April, 1903. 

D. R. Martin sells residence in south part of town and buys another of 
J. L. Talbott. G. H. Eveland of Lewiston, 111., buys the City Hotel fur- 
nishings of landlord Hubbell. 

Mr. Jess Bell thinks he can get better bargains by going away from 
home for a wife and he asks Miss Minerva Brownell of Hastings to change 
her name to Bell and come to Malvern to live. 

Mr. W. D. Evans is dead is the word on the street to day March, 1903. 
Mr. Evans with his family were early pioneers of the town, and have been 
potent factors for good in its upbuilding in business, church, civic, school 
and social life. 

Talbott and Kiser sell their furniture stock to Mr. G. T. White, and H. 
J. Baird sells out his telephone interests and a combination is soon formed 
that unites the interest of two into one. 

Joseph Meyers a resident of Malvprn since 1879, dies at the home of 
Samuel Myers, March 14, 19 03. 

Otis Boles and Walter Williams open up a new barber shop. Mr. M. D. 
Huston is the new tinwork man at Kronsbeins. 

Another one of the family wedded at the Cottage, Miss Grace Avrill to 
Mr. Frank Nelson of Toulon, 111., Rev. W. G. Moore, m.aster of ceremonies. 

Mrs. C. C. Baird, mother of Chan and Henry Baird, dies at Marquette, 
Kansas, and body brought to Malvern for burial. 

A change in Cottage landlords, Mr. Avrill leases property to C. W. Reed 
of Omaha. The town people regret to see the management of the hotel 
go out of the hands of the Avrills, who have been so popular with the 
public, and boosters for the town. 

April 14, 1903. The clang of the fire bell and the alarm whistle at the 
power house, awoke early sleepers last night, when the high school build- 



102 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

ing was on fire, only partial insurance and a total loss of building, books, 
fixtures and furniture. The school board are busy planning for rooms for 
the students. May 7th, 1903, special election is called to vote on propo- 
sition for issue of $12000 in bonds for the building of a new school build- 
ing and where it should be built. 

Mrs. G. H. Roose a resident for several years, dies at her later home at 
St. Louis. Wm. Totten & Son are new Real Estate and insurance firm. 

Hazel and Teresa Moses entertain their young friends, Maude Rains, 
Beatrice and Hugh Hand, Eves Whitfield, Bessie Pease, Iowa Deardorff, 
Gladys Knight, Ada Thomas, Ruth Boehner and Ruth Buohnell. 

Graduating class for 1903: Myrtle Rice, Arvilla Summers, Carrie Wil- 
son, Ivy Kerney, Elbert Nickerson, Nora Summers, Bertha Bushnell, 
Charles Higgins, Fannie Beeson, Leonard Baird, Wilma Bentley, Lelia 
Weller. 

Contract let to L. D. Ashby of Red Oak for erection of the new school 
building for $14608.00. 

Not all fun on the telephone repair line, John Smith and Bert Crumb 
working near Imogene were warned by a lady to not cut the limbs from 
trees in front of her premises, but forgetting the warning, they slashed 
one off, when the lady comes out and opened fire with a 38 revolver. It 
was too serious for the boys and they made extra quick time to get under 
cover until the storm was over. 

At the Wyant home on Center Street, June 10th, 1903, occurs the mar- 
riage of their daughter Maude E. to Mr. Wm. J. Tutt of Des Moines. 

Rev. W. G. Moore conducts the funeral service of Mrs. John Dyson at 
the Dyson home at Peaceville. Mr. and Mrs. Dyson came to Mills county 
in 1872. 

July, 1903, Dr. W. M. Hiett from Red Oak buys the dental office and 
good will of Dr. Adamson. 

Malvern celebrates our independance day on the fair grounds, a patri- 
otic address by Hon. Shirley Gilliland. 

Mrs. J. J. Maurath moves her stock of millinery goods to Silver City, 
and speaks some good words of praise of the people of Malvern. 

The new pumping station grapples the question of water supply. J. W. 
Jones from Red Oak comes to Malvern as manager of A. E. Fields billiard 
hall. 

The two big days of the South West Iowa Fireman's Tournament at 
Malvern, August 5th and 6th, were not the most favorable weather days, 
but the program was carried out. The bands played livlier music and the 
uniformed firemen did their best on dress parade while the citizens cheer- 
ed them on, and $1500 in prizes awarded. 

Mr. A. N. Felton buys the Crooks and Savage lumber yard. Miss Ber- 
tha Williams of Bedford is elected as teacher in place of Miss Chantry 
who resigned to take up higher work. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 103 

Four of our young men, Elbert Nickerson, Ray Jones, Charley Fost and 
Henry Kraft go north to help in the harvest fields of the Dakotas. 
Mrs. August Jahnke buys a home on Lincoln, Avenue. F. V. Williams 
buys the Cleaver Restaurant. 

Mr. G. Nellen doesn't like the closeness of the proposed water tank to 
his home and he sells to Mr. Wm. Wortz. Mr. A. D. Avrill severs his in- 
terests with Malvern by a trade of the Cottage Hotel for a tract of Mis- 
souri land. 

The new grades on first avenue are causing much grief to the citizens 
on the west side of the street. The cut at the top of the school house hill, 
and the filling in below will leave some of the homes much above the side- 
walk and others will be far below. For the benefit of traffic and travel, to 
and from the new line of the Q and the law of "the greatest good to the 
greatest in number," we are obliged to conform, as best we can to the 
new plans. 

S. E. Harold is elected janitor of school buildings. 

Our new watertank tower is looming up on its 90 feet iron legs well 
bedded in the rock on which is resting the tank 19 feet in diameter and 24 
feet high, capacity of 65000 gallon and the flag staff top 16 feet higher, 
which can be seen for many miles in all directions from Malvern. 

News come to friends ofthe death of Charles Maloy at the hospital at 
Bemidge, Minn. Tot Maloy was the familiar and friendly name he was 
known by in his residence here.. 

C. M. Rice and family return again to their former home town, Tabor. 

Mary Evans, Fannie Beeson and Mary Goodwin are students at Tabor 
College. 

Rev. S. J. McCormick, a former pastor of the Malvern Baptist church, 
dies at the home of his son Robert in Villisca. Robt. Masters takes Claude 
Pease place at the Watch tower. 

T. J. Moses our stock buyer buys 5 5 head of hogs from Mr. Black av- 
erage weight 363 lbs. at $5.35 per hundred. 

Charles Albert Nelson and Miss Amanda Garst form a life partnership 
bv the marriage vows. 

Mrs. A. E. Fields buys the Wilbur M'^Cabe home and is now having an 
apartment house built on the lots, by contractor McCullough. 

There have been some changes in the 32 years that have gone by since 
the erection of the little two room brick school building in 1871 and the 
dedicatory program today October 26th, 1903, of the new and enlarged 
one as it stands complete which occupies the same site as the old one 
with additions that had been made rnd is now absorbed and lost in the 
new. 

Mrs. Fannie Crow a resident of Malvern for some years, dies at her 
home at Pomona, Calif. 



104 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

November, 1903, Chautauqua Association formed with the following 
officers and directors: President, H. T. Beattie; Vice President, W. D. Wil- 
son; Secretary, F. E. MulhoUand; Treasurer, G. T. White and directors, 
I. N. Cheney, Emerson, C. D, Greenwood, Silver City, Robt. McClelland, 
Tabor, and time set for first assembly July 2, to 10th, 1904. 

J. J. Wilson moves into his elegant new home on Marion Avenue. Rev. 
Lew C. Harris is the pastor at the Christian Church. 

Mrs. Lydia M. Whitfield dies today December 14, 1903, for many years 
a resident of the county and the town, an earnest christian woman and 
she will be missed in church and social circles. 

Frank Van Doren, a Malvern boy has been a good student at the Osteo- 
pathic school at Kirksville, Mo., and is given a good salaried position at 
the infirmary. 

John Perdue and Miss Lottie Dunn take a little trip away and are mar- 
ried at the Methodist parsonage at Creston and return to Malvern, to take 
up life's duties. 

E. L. Donner takes James Ervin's place as distributor for the Standard 
Oil Co. 

Cupid has been making his head quarters at the banks, and the cash- 
iers are all broken up. Mr. Will Guyer of the Bank of Malvern and Miss 
Kate Cottrell are married at Mrs. Smith's home and Mr. Will H. Morris, 
breaks into the Duncan home at Tabor and takes the daughter Gertrude 
for a wife. 

Victor Benedict is the new picture man and F. W. Lessel the new tinner 
at Kronsbein's. 

A new year 1904. We know the history of the one just gone, what 
will the records be for the one just dawning. 

Dakin Miller leaves the contests on the diamond for mercantile busineRS, 
and opens up a furniture store in the Foulks building, under firm name 
of D. E. Miller & Co. James S. Miller his father is his assistant in its 
management. 

The Retelsdorf Bros, sell their restaurant business to James and George 
Buckingham. Ray Meadows and Mrs. Ruby Hollins make a business call 
on the Presbyterian pastor and he has them join hands and take the vows. 

Master Bruce Boehner is ten years old today and a goodly number of 
his chums and playmates have a royal time at his home. 

Lawrence Talbott is the assistant mail distributor at the Post Office. 
Master Robert Hough is eight years old to day. Carl Harris is helper at 
the Wabash. 

Charley Adams for a long time the popular clerk at the Cottage dies 
today, January 23, at his Chicago home. 

Rev. W. G. Moore performed the ceremony last evening, February 10th, 
at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Royce that united in holy wedlock Miss 
Edith Maloy and Chas. R. Aistrope. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 105 

Miss Libbie Dull, grown from childhood to womanhood in Malvern is 
married to Mr. W. D. Kayton. 

Rev. Watson, a long time pastor of the Baptist church at Malvern goes 
from his little farm home to a pastorate at Villisca. 

A wtdding ceremony this evening, March 10th, at the home of Dr. and 
Mrs. S. A. Campbell, their daughter Miss Hazel to Mr. J. W. Soderstrum, 
Superintendent of construction on the Q. 

Frank Higgins and Lee Baldwin buy the grocery business of Smith 
Brothers. The entire cost of our new school building and furnishings 
complete $17465.97. 

The salary for our rural mail carrl rs advanced from $600.00 to $720. 
per annum. Swanson & Foster, a new firm of blacksmiths and wagon 
makers, build a shop on the site of the old Judkins House. 

Rachwitz and Wills is the new barber firm. John Garst is distrubutor 
for the Standard Oil Company. Thos. Laney is a new clerk at Kneeland's. 

A fatal accident to day March 26th, 1904, to Mr. E. A. Stone out at 
Peaceville, by the falling of the roof of the old engine room that they were 
taking down. Death came in a few hours to the sufferer, a christian man, 
an excellent neighbor, friend and business man. 

Mr. Tidball, Jr., comes as assistant to Mr. Seeley, the miller. 

Geo. Perkins of Malvern and Miss Theresa Horstmyer of Glenwood are 
married. 

D. E. Whitfield is Mayor of the town. 

Mr. W. S. Bell succeeds E. L. Hibbs as agent of the Q. We liked Hibbs 
and think we will like Mr. Bell. 

Mr. Fred Davis sells his nice home place to Mr. C. E. Califf. 

The closing of the evening service at the church in Henderson, March 
27th, 1904, was varied some, by theplaying of the wedding march, and 
the coming of the actors upon the stage for a wedding ceremony. The pas- 
tor performed his part in the drama, uniting Mr. Xanthus Imel of Mal- 
vern and Miss Edna Priest of Henderson with the marriage bonds. 

Mr. Karl Hertz buys a block of lots on north 1st Avenue for a home near 
the location of the new Q depot. 

Riley Gurwell the Q operator at Malvern and Mr. R. L. Hale, operator 
at Villisca, exchange places. 

John Alfred Hall and Miss Hilda Johnson take a joy ride to Omaha 
April 8th, and are married. 

The little Misses Katherine and Elinore Mellor give a delightful birth- 
day entertainment to a goodly number of their little friends. 

Mrs. Lucinda Buell, a resident and business woman of Malvern for sev- 
eral years dies at the home of her daughter Mrs. J. R. Jones of Emerson. 

G. K. Munsell from Denver is manager of the telephone Co. 



106 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

All the old teachers reelected excep Miss Hutchings who has a position 
at her home town. 

Mr. Jesse Potter and Miss Mamie Van Doren surprise their friends by 
going over to the county seat and joining the ranks of married people. 

The post office has the new stamps for sale commemorative of the 
world's fair at St. Louis. Round trip tickets from Malvern to visit the 
exposition are $8.25. 

F. V. Williams is providing food f t the hungry in his restaurant 
rooms near the Leader office. 

Geo. Masters for the last year teacher at Corning, is reelected for an- 
other year. 

A little booze gets smuggled in now and then, among the men at the 
grading camps. Mr. Williams had to have Mr. Knight the Marshall come 
and show one who was overloaded to a bed in the calaboose 

We are proud of our new^ cement street crossings that are being put 
in. 

Frank Harris a popular manager and business man in Miilvern for sev- 
eral years with his family move to St. Joe, Mo. 

The graduating class for 19 04 are Charles Christy, Blaine Young, 
Claude Kearney, Martha Lewis, Nellie Thompson, Mabel Mulholland. 

Charles Slater and family become residents of the town. N. D. Cook 
keeps the ball rolling in his Bowling Alley on Fifth Street. 

A noisy drunken profane woman on our streets today is a painful sight, 
as she struggles with the officers who take her to a place of restraint. Such 
a condition is degrading enough for a man, but womanhood in that con- 
dition it is pitiful indeed. 

The Chautauqua assembly is on July 2 to 10th, and a surplus of mois- 
ture is making the tenters on the old camp ground, uncomfortable, and 
many more wishing thart the weather hnd gone dry. Our National Holiday 
is on the program of exercises for a fitting observance of the day in lec- 
ture and music, and in sports and games on the diamond. 

Master Earl Larison, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Larison, dies today, 
the best medical skill could not save the life. Eight of his boy compan- 
ions act as pall bearers, as the body is taken to the quiet re.sting place of 
the dead. 

Miss Nellie Potts, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Potts is married to 
Mr. Morris Martin at Clarinda. 

The A. N. Felton Lumber yard is bought by Mr. Speer of Lancaster, 
Kansas. Mr. Geo. Nahley buys the Fred Durbin property on Prospect 
Avenue for a home. 

The Veterans reunion was one of the events of the season as 109 of 
them with their families and friends, and the younger comrades of the 
Spanish War, made a good sized gathering on the fair grounds, August 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 107 

18, 1917, for social coniradship and reminisconces of camp life and those 
strenuous times of '61 to '()5. The t-ii ring address of L. T. Genung, Walter 
I. Smith, John Y. Stone and Shirley Gillilaud was an interesting feature 
of the occasion. 

H. T. Richmond sells his interests in the Iowa Manufacturing Co. to 
Mr. S. J. Steele, a brother, H. P. Steele to be manager. 

I. L. Morgan is jeweler and optician at W. D. Wilson's Drug Store. 

September, 1904, Nobc D. Smith takes a position with II. A. Deardorff, 
the grocer. 

Our Mills County Fair and exhil)its have been on during the past week, 
without fakers and side shows, it has been financially a success. 

Geo. Rockafellow buys the H. Davis meat market, and Ob Raines is his 
helper. October 30th, 1904, trains commence running over the new track 
and road bed of the Burlington. 

Ed Benton, Si Wearin, -Frank Robbins and Miss Carrie Wilson are stu- 
dents at the State University, Lincoln, Nebraska. 

We pass over the border to make record of the death of J. G. Lemen, 
founder and manager of the Christian Home of Council Bluffs, with whom 
our people have had much to do. A noble and unselfish man has given his 
life in the work of doing good. 

Lawrence Perdue is .5 years old toe ay and some 1.5 of his best playmates 
come and have a good time at his home. 

Officers of Ladies Cemetery Association: Mrs. S. B. Barnes, President; 
Mrs. Anna Goodwin and Mrs. S. A. Campbell, Vice Presidents; Mrs. Angel, 
Treasurer and Mrs. Miller, Secretary. 

Lawrence Tjilbott resigns his position in the Post office to go to Des 
Moines to school. Wynn Otis temporarily takes his place. There have 
been a number of others who have been faithful emergency helpers at 
different times in the Post office as occasion required; Alice Brothers, 
Sadie Paddock, Bessie Weller, Essie Jones, Jay Paddock and Mrs. C. M. 
Wogan. 

Alfred S. Workman is assistant at Pointer's gallery. L. A. Johnson 
buys the Hixson property. 

One of the participants in the first marriage of residents of the little 
village of Milton, August 17, 1870, Mrs. Eli Vickery dies today, Novem- 
ber 11, 1904, at her Malvern home. 

Joseph Thomas Parmer a veteran of the Civil war answers the last 
roll call today, November 16. 

Fred Smith a Malvern boy succeeds Levi Wilson as night operator at 
the Burlington. Rev. W. G. Moore of the Presbyterian Church preaches 
his farewell sermon and goes to a pastorate at LeMars, Iowa. 

J. K. DeWolfe, an old timer, an honorable business man and citizen, is 
greeting old associates. He is a prosperous Nebraska rancher. 



108 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

Flick and Johnson close their grading contracts with the Q and go into 
wnter quarters at Davenport. Mr. Flick retires from the firm and J. W. 
Soderstrom takes up his interests in the business. 

H. E. Boehner dies today, December 25th, 1904, at the home of his 
daughter Mrs. Mulholland with a life experience of over 90 years, born in 
Novia Scotia in August, 1814. We have known him as Captain Boehner, 
the title coming to him as commander of a government steamer in the 
quartermasters department during the Civil War. For over thirty years 
he had followed the life of a sailor, and had visited many parts of the 
world, but settles down at last with his family in the little land locked 
harljor of Milton for business and a home. We imagine, as his mind 
would turn to the years of his earlier life, he would hear agam the swish- 
ing of the waters and the rumbling of the ocean waves and breakers, in 
v>'hofee company ne had been so many years. He took the degrees that 
made him a Mason, in Antwirp, Belgium in 1838. He had a genial smile 
of recognition for all he met in the daily walks of life, for both old and 
young, and had an active part in the civic business of the town, as Mayor, 
Justice, Councilman and citizen. 

Agent Beesou of the Wabash resigns and C. E. Jasmine takes his place. 
Frank Weatherhead and Irve Liviiispire brick contractors commence work 
on the new Q depot. 

In his nightly rounds, night watch Jones, nabs a would be burglar 
while working an entrance in at the rear of Royce and Smith's Stores. 

W. A. Mulholland trades his grocery stock and meat market for a farm 
near Villisca. W. A. Anderson and A. A. Minnich are the new firm. 

Mr. Shelby Watson takes a position as assistant to the Post master. 

Lawrence Talbott, Lennie Baird, Si Wearin, Ed Benton, Carrie Wilson, 
Florence and Cora Durbin are home from their different schools during 
the holiday vacation. 

Rev. Brewer, at the home of Mrs. J. M. Crow ties the bonds that unite 
together the daughter, Willie L. to Mr. Henry Nims of Emerson. 

A happy New Year is the salutation as people meet at the opening of 
another year with the number 1905. 

James McMillen dies at his home in Malvern in his 87th year. 

A partial water famine in town. A little misunderstanding and a little 
obstinacy combined between the town council and the firm of Wortz and 
Bushnell the water providers. They put the lid on tight, and the thirsty 
citizen seeks "the old oaken bucket that hangs in the well" to quench his 
thirst for two successive days. 

Mr. S. Timmons having sold his farm buys the Walt Mulholland resi- 
dence and moves to town. Mr. A. N. Felton our former lumberman, takes 
an interest with Mr. Seeley in the Malvern Mills. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 109 

Mr. Stewart is Superintendent of the school. Karl Hertz builds and 
opens up a neat little restaurant business awaj' up first avenue, close to 
the new Q station. Robt. Vandevert is manager. 

Mills County Teachers in session at Malvern, February 3rd, and 4th. 

K(;v. A. E. Kiser comes as pastor to the Presbyterian Church and there 
is I'nion service at the Church to welcome him to Malvern 

Lolia Norton takes a position as clerk at Minnich and Anderson's. Mr. 
Wm. Weaver buys the fine suburban home place of Mrs. E. A. Stone and 
gives up farming. 

J. Degenhart, the harness maker returns to Malvern and starts again 
with us in lusinrss. J. C. Maguire sells bis home to Mrs. David Gary. 

Big snow storms, railroad traffic blocked and the doctors .ire slow in 
getting out to their country patients. The neat and pleasant new station 
building of the Q is open to the public. 

Mr. E. R. Craves feels quie young again, as he observes h's 85th birth- 
day with a gathering of friends. Wm. Biugaman buys the Tom Butler 
property in south part of town. 

Allan J. Chantry a student and graduate from cur schools, now in the 
Navul A'joden.y school at Annapolis, Md., rnnks first in competitive exam- 
inations of the class of 130 students. 

Friends and neighbors of J. W. MeNulty and family drop in to say good 
bye. as they are packing up to move to Colorado. 

The short term firm of Minnich and Anderson sell out dry goods ond 
grocery stock to Wm. Van Doren and son, Milton. 

J. F. Smith and J. S. Miller are helpers at Wm. VanDoren's Store. 

Malvern market. March 9th, 190.5, Corn 40c, Oats 30c. Potatoes 3.5c, 
Butter 18c. Eggs 15c, Cattle $5.00, Hogs $4.65. 

The Burrus bakery are selling good bread, 6 loaves for a quarter. 

The young may die, the old must die. Mrs. Mary Hawley — Grandma 
Hav.-iey — dies today. February 27, 1905, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. 
J. E. Neiman. a remarkable and lengthy span of life of near a century, re- 
taining her faculties of mind and body until near the closing hours of life. 
a christian life of 70 years, a resident of Malvern 34 years. When Mary 
Hatton was born August 6th, 1806, in Montgomery County, New York, her 
baby eyes opened on a world without steam propelling power on land or 
sea, no matches for common use, no grain harvesters, but the sickle, scythe 
and grain cradle; no window screen wire or mosquito bar; no fly swatters, 
steel wrting pens or paper blotters; letter postage one shilling an ounce; 
no sewing machines; no telegraph messages, or telephone calls and no 
practical knowledge or use of that wonderful power of electricity. What 
strides of progress as a nation and in betterment of living has come within 
these years. A longer life yet is that of a sister of Mrs. Hawley who cele- 
brated her one hundredth birthday at Minneapolis, Minn., June, 189 8. 



110 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



We go out over the border to make record today, March Sth ot the death 
of one whose interests in the upbuilding of the town and financial aid to 
church, school and business, have made him ?, history maker. Harvey W. 
Summers closes a life of 79 years. A good citizen, neighbor and valued 
friend has gone out of this life. 

Jess Bell buys lots on 1st Avenue and will move his lower town resi- 
dence to them. Walter Larison after 25 years of service to the public sells 
his shop to Chas Minner and goes out of business. 

Bonney McCoy, the pleasant and hustling porter at the Cottage takes 
a position with a new hotel at Red Oak. 

J. W. Pointer buys residence property on 1st Avenue formerly the Gid- 
ley home. Mr. J. W. McNulty transfers his interests in the real estate 
firm to his partner, P. M. Cadwell. 

J. T. Brohard and wife, residents of Malvern for thirty years move to 
Bassett, Nebr. 

The honorable town council have had the nerve to pass su ordinance 
ordering about 4 blocks of cement sidewalk laid without talking with us 
much about it. Geo. Talbott, the editor of the Ravelings column in the 
Leader of April 10, describes the situation in verse. 

"Forty blocks of sidewalk 

The council orders in 

Forty angry citizens 

A cussin' do begin." 
We are all boosters when the expense is on the other fellow. 

Our school instructors for the coming year: Superintendent O. P. Stew- 
art, Prin. May Miller, Asst. Prin. Bertha Willams; Daisy Bartley, Mabel 
Potts, Fannie Beeson, Emma Young, Pearl Miller and Bertha Bushnell 
grade teachers, all of last year reelected except Fannie Bee;^on takes the 
place of Miss Ladd, who was not an applicant. 

The post office is moved from the rear of First National Bank to east 
side of First Avenue, while business was asleep. 

Fred Hall is shoe repairer at Mr. Hammes' Shoe Emporium. Victor 
Benedict one of our picture men moves to Fontanelhi. 

The fire boys in training for taking part in the state meeting at Council 
Bluffs: Joe Johnson, W. H. Guyer, Geo. Talbott. Ed Higgins, Forrest Chan- 
try, Otis Boles, Charles Smith, Lawrence Talbott, Albert Baird, C. R. 
Brothers, Lee Robbins, Fred Barkus, Frank Hawkins, N. D. Smith, Robt. 
Cooksey, Elbert Nickerson, Harry Bently, Geo. Blackman, Ike Rains, W. 
Dunn, Jess Bell.^ 

C. E. Califf buys the Livery Barn of Geo. Mellor and has control of the 
business. Geo. Talbott resigns his position with Hawkins & Mulholland. 

Aprl 26th, 1905, a quiet home wedding at Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Chantry's. 
their daughter Lillian to Mr. H. T. Beattie, Rev. Corkey, master of cere- 
monies. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 111 

The Malvern Mill is selling (heir best Hour ?1.30 per 50 lb. sack. 

McLaughlin & Son of Red Oak are awarded contract for laying cement 
walks and cro.ssings, at lie per square foot for walks and IC^/^c for cros- 
sings. Miss Elizabeth Somes goes from Malvern to a position at Billings. 
Mont. 

An alumni association founded of high school graduates: President, H. 
J. Baird; Vice Presidents, Lottie Deardorff and Daisy Bartley; Secretary, 
Bertha Bushnell; Treasurer, Ed Higgins. 

The curlew rings to night at 9 o'clock if you are under 18 you hustle 
for home. 

A bequest of one hundred dollars from Mrs. Abigail Morrow to The 
Malvern Cemetery Association Trust Fund, the interest only of which can 
be used in keeping the grounds in perfect order. This was the foundation, 
some similar gifts have since been made. May some readers of these lines, 
at once make plans to aid this fund by gift now while living, or by will, 
that this work may be sustained and kept up, in the years to come, when 
we too are residents of the silent city of the dead. 

The 1905 graduates from our schools: The Misses Flora Benton, Helen 
Hammes, Adda Kronsbein, Ruth kneeland, Lillian Hammons. Bessie Gar- 
man. Edna Scott and Donald Cunningham, Joseph Whitesides and Karry 
Bently. 

The Mills County Telephone Co. organized with headquarters in Mal- 
vern, officers and directors elected: M. W. Sells, M. T. Davis, O. P. Stewert, 
C. D. Cxreenwood, B. B. Dean, A. B. Judson, Robt. McKenzie, J. T. Mc 
Cready, H. J. Baird. 

Fire, fire, at 2:30 p. m. The old Guenther barn, occupied by Mr. Califf 
is on fire. The fire boys are now in the fight. A strong wind is blowing, 
and the flying embers are being watched with anxiety as they fly on and 
over buildings to the north and east. The strenuous work of fighters and 
watchers keep it in bounds and the loss is the barn and nearly all the con- 
tents and Mr. Pace's paint shop. Mr. Califf is lessee and a heavy loser. 
No insurance. Some outside losers who had property in the barn. Major 
Barns, John Wise and Rev. Kiser. 

To day May 28th, 1905, that grim reaper, death comes and takes away 
the life of Mrs. Eliza J. Aistrope at her home in Malvern, so well known 
and loved. Her whole life had been passed in this vicinity as school girl, 
woman, wife and mother. 

A telegram comes to Mrs. Mina Brown of the accidental death of her 
husband J. S. Brown at Argentine, Kansas. The body was brought to Mal- 
vern Cemetery for burial. 

An old established business in Malvern changes hands. J. E. Skadan 
sells his stock of Implements and Farm Machinery and a residence prop- 
erty to H. A. Vankirk. 



112 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



Dr. W. S. Corbin transfers his Osteopathic practice to his brother Dr. 
M. E. Corbin. 

The Mills County Chautauqua is on the rostrum at the Fair grounds 
Mrs. Angle Fishback transfers her millinery business to the ownership 
of Miss Myrtle Mulholland and W. G. Bingaman trades his Malvern busi- 
ness and properties for a farm. 

The death summons comes to two of our well known citizens today. R. 
J. Brown, an early pioneer of the town, an honored and respected citizen 
and business man for over 30 years and Isaac Mulholland, a business toiler 
in the first bunch of business men of the town for a number of years. Af- 
ter an absence of 25 years he returns to make Malvern his home again 
where his first home was established. 

A. N. Speer sells his lumber yard to The Quinn Lumber Co. 

Eggs lie per dozen, butter 15c pound. 

Mr. Frank Clark sells to T. J. Moses, the stock buyer, a bunch of hogs 
at $5.25 and the editor remarks that "there is good money in hogs at that 
price." The farmer at the present writing would not think so. 

Five miles of first class cement walks in town. Geo. Pace, the painter, 
buys the old Q depot building and moves it up on 2nd Avenue for a shop. 

Mrs. Mary A. Jacobs dies at the home of her daughter Mrs. Angle Fish- 
back, S3 years of life record. 

Willis and Abner Clark buy the old Skadan business of Vankirk. 

Amy Deardorff entertains about fifty of her little friends. Clay pipes and 
soap bubbles was the great frolic of the day. 

Mr. Wiilard Ruth and family from Blockton, Iowa, become residents of 
Malvern, and Mr. Ruth is an employee at Hawkins and Mulholland Store. 
Miss Dorethea Swanson is Art trimmer at Myrtle Mulholland Millinery 
Store. 

Mr. Al Hawkins retires from an active part in the large mercantile in- 
terests of Hawkins & Mulholland. 

A grand gathering of the Mills County I. O. O. F. lodgo-s at Malvern, 
August 23, 1905. 

Dr. Campbell buys an auto and is learning the ways of his new steed. 

At an early hour this morning, August 21st, night watch Whitmer, saw 
smoke issuing from the third story of The Malvern Flouring Mill. Des- 
perate fighting saved the granary and storage building part. Quite a 
heavy loss to the owners, above insurance. , 

A large bunch of boy friends of Byron Thomas help him celebrate his 
birthday. H. E. Boyer. the Strahan merchant, finds a home for his family 
in Malvern for the benefit of school privileges. 

W. H. Miller is elected janitor of school building. Fred Barkus takes 
Lee Robbins place at Gibson's Store. Ed Hlggins goes from The Chicago 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 113 

Dry Goods Store to Colorado and Lawrence Talbott takes his place. Har- 
vey Knight and Miss Emma Clarey take a trip to Omaha and are married. 

At the home of Mrs. R. J. Bently, August 31st, her daughter Wilma, is 
married to Edward C. Higgins, and commence married life in a home at 
La Junta, Colo. 

A large delegation of G. A. R. men are off today, September 4th for 
the encampment at Denver. 

W. H. Morris, Assistant Cachier at the First National, gives up his posi- 
tion, and embarks in business at Wayne, Nebr. 

Mrs. W. J. C. Smith buys Miss Place's home, one of the early land- 
marks of the town. An important deil is effected today by P. M. Cadwell 
our real estate man, whereby A. J. Kronsbein trades his hardware stock 
and fine home to W. H. Salyers, for his farm and farm home in White 
Cloud Township. M. S. Conrad is helper at the VanDoren Co. Store. 

V. W. Beeson trades his warehouse and residence to Samuel Estes for 
Nebraska land. Wm. Bingaman buys the Howard Restaurant. 

Rev. W. H. Cable for three years pastor of the M. E. Chu'-ch is succeed- 
ed by Rev. W. W. Bollinger. 

W. G. White, our furniture store man buys the Kronsbein hardware 
stock of W. H. Salyers and Geo. Keffer of Hastings is induced to come 
over to his old business home, to help him in the business. 

Leonard Wilkinson, carrier on aiwndoned R. F. D. route from Hillsdale 
is transfered and goes out on route number 3 from Malvern. 

Mr. Allen Smith from Massena buys the home of Mrs. G. W. Bates. Mrs. 
Bennett dies at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Martha Rickabaugh. Guy 
Harold rustles the delivery wagon for the Gibson store. 

New corn is worth 32c a bushel. 

A lively baby boy comes to the home of Dr. and Mrs. Parsons on No- 
vember 1st. 

We have to make mention of so many as they pass out of this life, that 
our records ought to show the coming in of the new life to keep the bal- 
ance. Our records of the dear baby life has been poorly kept by the his- 
torian, and but few have been mentioned and now they will have to be left 
until they individually make some record that they are living and making 
good records for future hisotry. Brute life is registered as to type and 
ancestry at birth. Human life it may be better to register at its close, 
when the records have been made up. Is it not well worth while to de- 
vote more care to those essential things, that will make better the type 
and pedigree of human life as well. 

Mr. Callen. the owner of the Cottage Hotel trades it to Mr. Brower of 
Hamburg for 300 acres of Missouri River bottom lands, Allen and Legore, 
the lessees will go ahead with its refitting for opening to the public, No- 
vember 15th. 



114 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



The Feltons move to Council Bluffs. Mr. Whitmer buys Perdues dray 
line. 

Frank L. B. Goodwin dies at the home of Mr. M. Cunningham of that 
dread disease cancer. He came to Malvern in the 70s, where his brother 
Charles was already located, and has been here or near by ever since. De- 
scended from titled English ancestry, himself and brother both kept the 
name untarnished. 

Father and son quietly observe their golden and silver wedding anni- 
versaries, today December 15, Wm. VanDoren and wife 50 years, Milton 
VanDoren and wife 2 5 years. 

The 86 year lease of life of Mr. J. F. Tyler expired today and he lays 
down in death's sleep at his son's liome. 

The calendar says it is now 190 6. 

Mr. C. S. Royce buys residence of Mrs. C. J. Hyde. Mrs. J. F. Christo- 
pher dies at her home in Malvern. 

The Strahan and Christy Bank is reorganized into The Malvern Nation- 
al Bank and the following named officers elected: C. B. Christy, President; 
James Durbin. Vice President; Fred Durbin, Cashier; Directors: C. B. 
Christy, Fred Durbin, James Durbin, L. C. Stevesson and C. M. Follett. 

Mr. Cecil Graves is getting quite a reputation as a cartoonist. 

Alice Cottrell Woodrow dies at their home at Sioux City, and is 
brought here for burial. 

A. L. Arnold buys the Miuner barber shop. Evangelist Pratt and his 
singer Brlson are in the midst of interesting revival meetings at the Bap- 
tist Church. 

Mr. W^. C. Wortz and Miss Grace Mulholland are married, January 24th, 
at the home already prepared by the groom. 

Dr. S. T. Brothers dies suddenly while sitting in his chair, a grand good 
man, conscientiously performing the arduous duties of his profession, to 
the poor and rich alike, for over forty years in the county, the first of his 
profession in Malvern. 

McElhose and Hall buy the blacksmith shop of V. W. Bceson. 

L. W. Boehner buys the old Baptist church building, for several years 
the work shop of the Neck Yoke factory, and will have it transformed into 
a residence. 

J. R. McClymond and family become permanent residents of the towa. 

Allan J. Chantry graduates with hl^h honors, standing at the head of 
his class in the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. 

Mrs. Lydia Timmons wife of S. Timmons dies at her son's home near 
Pacific Junction, while on a temporary visit there. 

The Kronsbein family bid their many friends goodbye as they go away 
to their new home at Litchfield, 111. 

Mr. S. J. Clark is manager for the Quinn Lumber Co.. J. J. Hartzell 
takes Mr. Harts place at the Wabash. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 115 

Mr. aud Mrs. A. J. Chantry get their boys and girls all together for a 
full reunion, gathering at the banquet board of the home. 

Mr. David Duncan, Father Duncan, dies to day, Malvern's oldest citizen, 
nearly 94 years of age. 

Church pastors, II. R. Waldo and Lew C. Harris, leave their pastorates, 
and young and old friends gather at each of their homes for the last good 
byes. 

Mrs. Leah Dice buys the V. C. Bridges property, for a home. Mr. Samuel 
Bonham and family move to Shenandoah. John Meryhew is sub-carrier 
for rural route number 3. 

Mr. J. A. Foster is building a big barn on lower 1st Avenue for the 
livery business. S. Burrus buys the Collins bakery. 

Miss Carrie Wilson is book-keeper at Mulhollands. 

W. H. Salyers goes into partnership with P. M. Cadwell in the Real 
Estate business. 

Mr. Forrest R. Chantry goes abroad for a wife and is married to Miss 
Ethel Lovett at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Lovett at Shenandoah. 

Harry Thomas moves to Friend, Nebr. James Buckingham moves nis 
grocery stock into one of Newt Jacob buildings on 1st Avenue. 

W. R. Thomas sells his business to F. D. Stitt, rents residence and goes 
to farming for a hoped for change to better health. 

.*.gent Bell of the Q buys the former home of J. J. Wilson. 

Dr. Will N. Hiett and Miss Myrtle Mulholland are old married people 
having been married several months ago but the world didn't know it 
until today. 

Joss Smith v/ho has been so long in Malvern, as school boy. helper and 
business man, moves with the family to Council Bluffs. 

The fine tulip bed of Mr. Geo. Mellor is a pleasure to the passer by. 

A valiant fight is now on, for a reloca,tion of the County Capitol from 
Glenwood to Malvern. The location made by the early pioneers, was the 
best at the time, it was their home and their home town. But the changes 
since then have sv/ung the dial marker to a new center, for convenience 
and economy and the contest is on for the change. Generous guaranteed 
bonds have been placed to make good to the county the cost of removal. 
Friends in possession are pressing hard on the string of the utter ruin of 
our neighbor towns if such a thing should occur. The fight is stirring 
up the latent powers of many minds, which have heretofore been dormant, 
and in prose and poetry and derogatory terms for and against the ques- 
tion, the pages of our county papers are replete with the news of the war. 
The ins won the race, and since then the lid has been put on at the State 
Capitol, to the budding aspirations of Malvern in this direction, and well 
spiked down "Requiescat in pace." 

A little daughter is entrusted to Dr. and Mrs. W. M. Hiett for safe keep- 
ing. 



116 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

Channing Baird receives his appointment as Post Master of Malvern. 
Rev. W. G. Hoover and Rev. H. H. Utterback are the new pastors at the 
Baptist and Christian Churches. 

J. W. McNulty gives up his position with the Green Buy Lumber Co.. 
and E. W. Gregory talies his place. 

Our people are terribly wrought up over the a\Yful calaraily that has 
befallen San Francisco. Those having friends in the destroyed city are 
anxiously waiting further news. A thrilling description is given of the 
event by Miss Gail Shipman in the Leader of May 17th, 19 6. 

A hoodoo is on The Cottage. Allen & Logan retire and Mrs. Skahill is 
the next. 

From their last years work at Moulton, Iowa, the sisters Lillian and 
Ethel Cunningham go to higher positions in Sigourney Schools. 

Miss Hazel Whitmer enters the Mills County Telephone office to learn 
the work, and she learned it well, as at this writing, she is yet at hc-r 
station. 

Will Evans a Malvern boy, now grown to manhood and out in the world 
m;iking good, dies at Kansas City, and is brought to his old home place 
for burial. 

W. E. Larisou is again behind the barber's chair, his sale or trade was 
not adhesive enough to stick. 

School graduates for 19 06: Olga Otis, Hazel Richmond, Frances McCoy, 
Rhebba whalen, Liva Richards and Ivy Campbell. Where are the boys? 

Lee Baldwin is moving into a new home he has been building. J. L. 
Buckingham buys a home of J. T-. Ward. 

Shelby Watson the faithful and efficient assistant at the post office, un- 
der the old regime, takes a position at the Bank of Malvern. 

The new flouring mill to replace the one burned is now complete and 
©pen for business. 

Mrs. J. T. Brohard, one of the early pioneers dies at her home near 
Bassett, Nebr. 

Wm.. Weaver a well known and respected citizen of the cminty since 
1857, dies at his lately purchased home at Peaceville. 

The Malvern Chautauqua Assembly for 1906, is now in session. The 
idea of these assemblies, conceived and set in motion by Bishop J. H. Vin- 
cent of Chautauqua, N. Y., has become of nation wide annual observance. 
Some of our people will remember the first noted gathering at Council 
Bluffs many years ago. Those who had been taking the regular courses 
of study as students formed the nucleus of that gathering in the commod- 
ius amphitheater erected by the citizens. Changes have been so made, 
that commercialism now conducts and presents the great moral and intel- 
lectual force to the public. Since our first assembly in 1904, in a mam- 
moth tent on the fair grounds, they have been well supported, and for the 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 117 

betterment of our social, intellectual and moral life, from their presenta- 
tion they should be well sustained. 

Miss M. Edith Davis is elected as teacher to fill vacancy caused by res- 
ignation of Miss Williams and Miss Adaline Ward as teacher of vocal 
music in the school. 

Mr. Frank Miller and Miss Elizabeth Shane are married at the Shane 
home by Rev. Hoover. Mr. Eli Vickery and Mrs. Jennie Crumb invest in 
bonds of matrimony, being the second investment for both of them. 

Mrs. S. J. Curls 72nd birthday was pleasantly observed by her grand- 
daughter Ollie Hammond inviting in a number of her old time lady 
friends. 

Mr. I. L. Morgan has been building a home, corner of Douglas Street 
and Prospect Avenue and is moving in today. 

John Myers and Mrs. Katie Dunn take the vows of marriage at Squire 
Van Doren's office. 

Lennie Baird, Donald Cunningham and Harry Bently are students at 
Des Moines College and Perry Hendricks goes to the military school ai 
Culver Indiana. 

September 13th. Ernest Anderson goes to Omaha and finds a wife, Miss 
Peterson. Hazel Richmond is helper at The Chicago Dry Goods Store and 
James Baskins is at Kneelands. 

Mr. J. D. Robbins comes away from his extensive farming interests in 
the county and trades some land for Beeson & Estes's warehouse and 
stock on 4th Street and invests in a new business, with Mr. Roy Robbins, 
his son, opening up an Auto Garage, for sales, repairs and hire. The 
starting of this business here, which has so grown, that large commodious 
buildings have since been erested to meet the demands of the times. 

Royce and Smith are moving their stock into their fine new business 
place, neighbor to The Malvern National Bank. Membraneous croup takes 
the daughter Elizabeth from the Poulson home 

An ox team hitched to an old prairie schooner is on the street today. It 
was Ezra Meeker, locating the route over the old trail of the forty niners, 
to the gold fields of California. John Cain, who has been for the last 25 
years, the faithful and trusted employee of the Q as their section foreman, 
resigns. 

Miss Eula VanVranken a former teacher in the school writes an inter- 
esting letter to the Leader on her arrival in China to take up the mission 
work of the Church. 

Mr. Otto Burrus, a former Malvern lad is married to Miss Barnard of 
Glenwood. The mother of Mrs. I. L. Morgan dies today at the home of 
the daughter. 

Those who are in charge of business at the school rooms: Superintend- 
entJ. E. Clayton. Mae Miller, Daisy Bartley, Mabel Potts, Cora Owens, Mrs. 
Emma Young, Mae Churchill, Bertha Bushnell and Ruth Thompson. 



118 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

The Malvern National Bank move into their new building -with its fine 
furnishings and fixtures and are well prepared for business. 

Dick Paul, R. F. D. carrier, one of the starters of the Rural free de- 
livery, gives up the job and is succeeded by Wm. Emerick, December, 1906. 

Ray and Will Kline are landlords at the Cottage and Mr. Hubbell takes 
Len Davis' place at the City Hotel. 

The eighth double wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. P. M. Cadw^ell 
and Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Berkhimer is observed at the Cadwell home. 

Some of the youngsters that have birthday parties, Frank Talbott, Macey 
Himebaugh and Ruth Wyant and they are red lettf^r days in each of their 
homes. 

Charles Hollins and Miss Emma McDaniels, who with her parents were 
formerly residents of Malvern, are married at Council Bluffs. 

The great cereal of our State, a corn show, is on exhibition at Malvern, 
229 entries for $300 premiums. 

S. B. Barnes sells his grain elevator to J. D. McClain of Peoria. 111. 

The Woodmen Lodge elect officers, T. C. Lake, S. E. Harold, John 
Moore, J. C. Maguire, C. M. Morford, G. W. Short, Arva Burrus, M. S. 
Conrad. 

Mr. Philip Hambsch retires from the farm and buys Emerson Brown's 
residence, for a home, on Douglas Street. Out at Peaceville. Miss Flora 
Hammond is married to Mr. J. R. Pitzer. 

The VanDoren Co. sell their business to our Attorney A. E. Cook and a 
brother C. H. Cook from Sioux City, la., and the new firms is The Cook 
Mercantile Co. 

The young people that are away at school and work are coming home 
for the holidays and some good feeds of mother's coolving 

Cards are out introducing the reader to a bright chubby youngster, with 
a label on him, 1907. 

Rev. W. G. Hoover resigns his pastorate at the Baptist Church. The 
Christian Church has been enlarged and built over new, and is rededicat- 
ed to day, January 13, 1907, Rev. W. H. Utterback, Pastor. 

A baby boy is welcomed at the home of Dr. and Mrs. J. O. Laird. 

Today January 15th, the death call comes to Mrs. R. J. Brown, a noble, 
helpful woman, in her earnest Christian life, and deeds of kindness and 
love in her thirty three years of home life in Malvern. 

January 8th, Mrs. L. W. Miller dies at the Presbyterian Hospital in 
Omaha, another noble Christian life. 

News comes that Dan Farrell, an old time resident of Malvern and well 
known as the plucky. Mills County Sheriff, is dead at his home in San 
Antonio, Texas. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 119 

Mr. L. E. Smith and family purchase a home and become residents of 
Malvern. Mr. N. G. Patterson is the maker of new, and a renovator of the 
old, at his harness shop on 1st Avenue. 

Cadwell and Salyers our real estate men have gathered together from 
our county a train load of the goods and chattels of a number of our good 
citizens, that starts today for Wellingtm, Colo., for new homes in the new 
west. Mr. F. D. Kilpatrick moves from the farm to his residence proper- 
ty in town. 

The brothers Sam and John Myers, early settlers of the town, are both 
taken by death within a few days of each other. 

Mr. R. A. Wills trades his Peaceville home to G. W. Wyant for his town 
residence and they will change their abiding places soon. Mrs. Laura 
Uttvits, who by her kind hearted, gentle ways has a long list of friends, 
who surprise her on her 70th birthday by their presence or by letters of 
congratulation and expressions of good will. 

There were 218 teams at one time on our Street last Saturday. Alice 
Windom and Mr. C. A. Pickerel are married. Jesse H. Evans and Miss 
Emily Gardner, take some friends along and go joy riding to Council 
Bluffs to get some bonds, as husband and wife. 

Major Barnes buys the former residence of Dr. Love. Leni Jones takes 
Len Wilkersons place as carrier on No. 3. H. T. Richmond, the harness 
maker, inventor. Neck Yoke factory man, musician and good citizen, tears 
himself away from Malvern and m>ves to Sedgwick, Colo. 

S. A. Tipton is on duty as upstairs salesman, at MulhoUands. Mr. T. J. 
Moses buys a home. E. L. Perkins and Elizabeth Starr are married. 

Higgins Bros, succeed the firm of Baldwin and Higgins. J. D. Robbins 
sells the implement part of his business to Ash and Long. 

Leonard Wilkinson, mail carrier on route 3 leaves his task in the hands 
of Bert Crumb. Baton Tennant is with Higgins Bros. W. A. Barrier buys 
the Buckingham barber shop. 

Albert Baird gives up his position at the Royce Drug Store and Blaine 
Young is learning the ways of the business. Mrs. Andrew Swanson' dies 
at her Malvern home. Miss Hazel Rumsey wins first honors in dramatic 
contest at Tabor. 

April, 1907, Mr. and Mrs. James Criswell purchase a home and move to 
town as a respite from the strenuous cares of the farm. 

Mr. J. W. McNulty and family return from Colorado and Mr. McNulty 
takes Mr. Clark's place with the Quinn Lumber Co., deciding that Malvern 
was a better pleasure resort for business than Colorado Springs. 

Edna Shenefield dies at her parents' homo in the suburbs. Mr. Hugh 
Mcintosh ,the miller, who was associated with Dr. Brothers in the Silver 
Creek flouring mill and a long time resident of Malvern, dies at his Mary- 
ville ,Mo., home. 



120 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

Mr. Marion Kerney buys the Bushnell residence property on Marion 
Avenue. 

Mr. Allen Anderson and wife and son Ernest Anderson and wil'e return 
from Sweden, where they went about a year ago, intending to make it 
their home, but time had made changes and it was not the same to them 
as in their younger life and they again come to America and Malvern. 

Rev. J. E. Wilkins has accepted the pastorate of the Baptist Church and 
is here with his family to take up his work. 

It is Katherine Mellor's tenth birthday and ten playmates help her to 
spend the day. Agent Matheny of the Wabash buys the home of Mrs. M. 
E. Johnston and Mrs. Johnston buys the I. L. Morgan home on Douglas 
Street. Fred Smith finds a wife at Shenandoah, Miss Ada Schick. 

A new Insurance firm, Mr. O. J. Davis and daughter Edith and son El- 
mer as partners. Henry J. Baird and family start today for their new 
home place at Delta, Colo. A long time resident and we will miss him 
in the daily run of business. 

Harry Keffer comes from Hastings to Malvern, his boyhood home to 
help Ash and Long sell farm implements. 

Our base ball team, Carl Cook, Guy Conrad, Kenneth Cook. Arthur 
Dice, Forest Deardorff, Harry Wilson, Elmer Davis, Walter Scott, Paul 
Kneeland and John Brooks, go down and take the scalp of the Red Oakers 
by just 7 to 6. 

S. E. Harold sells his home to Mr. Viner and will soon move to Colorado. 
E. L. Donner buys the old Q Elevator. The Donners always have some 
horses to turn in on a trade and he turns in a thousand dollars worth. 

At the Graham home on Saturday Miss Mona's friends, Gladys Smith, 
Amy Deardorff, Irene and Margaret Beckett, Doris Barnes, Edith Smith, 
Ruth Boehner and Ethel Muiholland come dressed in grov/n up's clothes 
and have a frolic celebrating her 10th birthday. 

The question of sewerage for the town is breaking out. 

1907 school graduates, Grace Churchill. Maude Coiner, Josie Kerney, 
Pearl Lake, Mildred Priest, Elsie Skerritt, Ruth Young, Arthur Dice, El- 
mer Davis, June Fickel and Harry Kneeland. 

W. L. Johnson, better known to us as Laban Johnson dies today. May 
17th. at his Malvern home. 

Decoration day services in honor of the soldier dead was properly ob- 
served. 

Miss Edith Smith is seven today, and there has to be some doings &t 
the Walter Smith home to commemorate the event. A goodly number of 
her little friends come and furnish the doings 

Miss Ethel Himebaugh and Mr. Edward Gilmore, take the vows to love 
honor and obey, and their home will be at Omaha. 

The 1907 Chautauqua is a winner. The stock market, fat cattle ^5.85 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 121 

to ?r..35, Hogs $5.85. 

Miss Florence Skahill is helper with the Cook Mercantile Co. G. C. 
Boston buys the hardware stock of W. G, White. 

Malcolm Campbell, Walter Scott, Paul Kneeland and Guy Conrad are 
taking their vacation, developing manly muscle and fine crops out on the 
farms. 

Cadwell & Salyers, the real estate men trade the Cottage Hotel prop- 
erty for 1120 acres of land near Bassett, Nebr, 

To day, August 14th, 1907, while at his work, James Miller Strahan is 
stricken with death. "God steps in and says thy work is finished." The 
eulogy of his life has been ably spoken. We cannot say more A true and 
valued friend and citizen has been taken from us. 

Mr. James Berry buys a home south of the ball park and Ernest Ander- 
son buys Karl Hertz's residence property. F. D. Kilpatrick buys the 
north half of the old academy block tor a place to build a nice home for 
his family. 

X. A. Imel takes a well earned vacation from the Leader office and accom 
panied by his wife goes thro the west sight seeing. Arthur Howard leaves 
his position with the lowan to engage in business for himself at Coupeville, 
Washington. The Baseball Tournament is on with four good teams ready 
for the contest. 

Monday, September 2, all roads for the young lead towards the opening 
of the public school. 

Mr. V. G. Williams is assistant at The First National Bank and Joy 
Parker is helper at Kneelands. 

At the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Criswell, September 4th. occurred 
the marriage of their daughter Ague to Mr. Frank J. Steele of Strahan. 
W. H. Manifold is our new Superintendent of the schools. 

T. D. Gibson, the grocer, a short time since traded his fine home and 
some other property for a Woodbury County farm, and today he trades 
his grocery stock, fixtures and business buildings to Mr. H. D. Anderson 
for his farm just across the creek and Mr. Anderson in a few hours time 
is in possession of to him a new business. But he does not stay on the job 
but a few days until he desires to go back to the farm and makes a trade 
with Mr. Sheets of Carson for 240 acres of land near Macedonia. Mr. 
Sheets is also a trader and in a few days he sells his stock and fixture^ 
to Mr. Fred Mulholland who winds up the deal by adding a grocery de- 
partment to the already large business of the Mulholland Co. 

A list of students from Malvern and vicinity that are away at College 
studies: Elbert Nickerson, Perry Hendricks, Otto Gibson, Nora Summers, 
John Summers, Si Wearin, Roy Robbins, Blanch Coffman, Claude Kerney, 
Olga Otis, Juno and Ward Fickel, Ralph Wilson, Rolfe Whitnell, Ruth 
Young, Ivy Campbell, Florence and Cora Durbin, Ruth Kneeland, Mary 



122 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

Goodwin, Mildred Priest, May and Grace Churcliill, Harry Benlly, Edna 
Scott and Frank Wilson. 

Mr. Frank Scoles and Miss Pearl Lake go to Glenwood and Rev. Skiles 
of Congregational Church, performs the ceremony that makes them hus- 
band and wife. 

Mr. J. W. Jones buys the W. W. Wills home property, in the north west 
part of town. 

Mrs. Nancy Johnson dies today, September 27th, at the home of her 
dc-ughter Mrs. S. Masters. She was with her husband J. J. Johnson and 
family, early pioneers, staked out a claim for a home in 1856, near where 
Malvern has since been built. 

The price of new corn at the elevators is 5.5c. Sam Dowden, a helper 
at Patterson's harness shop, moves to Sterling, Colo. 

A. O. Purdy who is an experienced pharmacist, takes a position with 
Mr. Royce the druggist. 

Over the border to make record of the death of a well known, earnest, 
practical Christian woman, Mrs. Olive Wearin, an early pioneer and one 
of those who were stricken by the railroad disaster at Chillicothe, Mo.. 
November 8th, 1879, where Mr. Josiah Wearin, the husband lost his life. 

Guy Harold enters the employ ofH. A. Deardorff, the grocer, as clerk 
and delivery man. Lyle Wilkins i^' helping to wait on customers at the 
Landis store. 

Miss Mabel Nickerson weds Mr. R. E. Lindsay, the operator at the Q. 

A new enterprise is started. Dr. J. H. Gasscn is fitting up rooras over 
the Malvern National Bank for a hospital. 

Mr. W. G. Salyers is the purchaser of the B. W. Rush home on Pros- 
pect Avenue. The coming of Mr. Salyers to Malvern for a home, calls our 
attention to the number of good citizens who have from time to time, come 
to make their homes in the town, from Strahan and vicinity: Salyersos, 
Criswells, Eacretts, Bellwoods, Hani])s<:'h, Roberts, Boyer. Ewing. Black. 

W. R. Thomas has recovered his health oul on the farm and is shaving 
again for a living. 

Section foreman Wires of the Burlington is promoted to rotsd master of 
branch roads out from Creston. 

John Miller, "Uncle Jo.hn" dies while visiting a daughter ot Winside, 
Nebr., October 20th. He has been a long time resident of Malvern, aonther 
one added to the list of passing friends. 

Rev. Wilkins performs the ceremoiiy of the marriage of Ossie Smith 
and Miss Stella Thompson, a quiet home wedding, Novemb^^r G. 

A masquerade party of young friends of Stewart Foster, played a sur- 
prise game on him last Thursday evening, when he was 15 years of age. 
lots of fun and something good to eat. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 123 

Mr. W. F. Dormer, one of the young generations of the Donuers, finJs a 
girl to his liking at Shenandoah, Miss Cora Richards, where they have just 
taken the marriage vows. 

A record overlooked the death of Mrs. Chan. C. Baird, a noble, kind 
hearted, Christian woman, who is called from her home and large family 
who much need a mother's care. The elder daughter takes up the work 
as best she can as guide and counselor in the mother's place. 

Mr. Joe Evans who was one of the Malvern boys in the start, comes 
from Seattle, Wash., to visit his mother Mrs. W. D. Evans. 

Mr. C. E. Eacrett, weary of living on the border comes over from the 
farm for a residence in town. 

Baton Tennant is now with The Cook Mercantile Co. 

Little Margaret Jean is a new arrival as a guest at the Beattie home. 

Mr. Fred Barkus and Miss Jennie Van Doren, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Milt Van Doren take a joy ride to Glenwood and engage Rev. Utterback to 
tie the matrimonial bonde. 

Mr. Philip Hambsch has just returned from a visit to his old boyhood 
home at Obenhausen on the Rhine, after 50 years in America as soldier 
and citizen. He does not find many of his old time friends and they do 
not recognize the young man Philip Hambsch in the gray bearded veter- 
an Philip Hambsch of Malvern. 

Mrs. Maurer is matron at the Malvern hospital. 

Mr. Eugene Porter takes the place of Ben. R. Busby in charge of the 
jewelry department at Wilson's Drug store. 

Plazel Head is the hat artist at Mrs. Hiett's millinery shop. 

The institution of the annual Dutch Supper is introduced to the public 
by the ladies of the Presbyterian Church. 

Mr. Everett W. Masters and Miss Roselle E. Konnefke take the mar- 
riage vows as husband and wife. 

The Corn Show, Farmers Institute and Dairy Show, the great and at- 
tractive combination is now in session at Malvern, December 10th, 11th 
and 12th, 1807. 

Mr. J. A. Fletcher and family take up their residence here and Mr. 
Fletcher takes a position as manager of grocery department at Mulhol- 
lands, and Mrs. Wainwright has charge of the cloak and suit department. 

At the home of Mrs. Nickerson, her daughter Esther is married to Mr. 
Wood Wearin of Roseville, Calif. 

Mr. M. F. Beckwith dies to day, after three months suffering from an 
accidental gunshot wound, another good citizen and neighbor gone. 

W. A. Beckett, the postal clerk on the Q sells his Peaceville home. 

Mrs. George Short dies today, December 26th, at the home in Malvern. 

Legal documents and love letters are now dated 1908, a new tag on old 
father time. 



124 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



Uncle Ben Martin, a country neighbor buys the home of A. Swanson and 
moves to Malvern. Fred Tubbs sells his dray line business to J. A. Foster. 

A once familiar face in Milton, appears again upon the canvas after the 
trailing of the reels of forty eight years, Mr. James D. Cook, now of Chi- 
cago, one of the first of the grain buyers here, being the manager in build- 
ing the Ladd elevator during the winter of 1869 and '70. The well groom- 
ed man at 70 years is the older grown personality of the younger Jim 
Cook in dusty overalls and jacket on duty at the elevator in 1870. His 
coming to Milton was in times of industrial business and Peace. His bus- 
iness to the town today, is in the interests of War instead, which is on at 
the writing of these records. 

The Barrier barber shop burns to day, Mr. Buckingham owner of tue 
little building. 

Mrs. R. J. Madigan for a long time resident of Malvern died at her home 
here yesterday. Andrew Purcell, Squire Purcell for 35 consecutive years, 
as Justice of the Peace at our neighbor town of Hastings, surrenders his 
90 year life lease at Shenandoah. In 185 7 his cabin home was on our 
present fair grounds. 

Miss Bessie Smith is with the working force at The Chicago Dry Goods 
Store. 

Mrs. J. H. Getman one of our pioneers passes away at her Malvern home. 

S. Garner and Son are the new landlords at the City Hotel. 

Rev. Utterback at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Pointer, performs the cere- 
mony, February 4th, that unites in marriage their daughter Miss Pearl 
and Mr. Earl Eichelberger. 

At the W. A. Barkus home, Febru? -y 19, Miss Bessie is married to Mr. 
Ed Jefferson. 

Mrs. Wm. Norris's body is brought from Ft. Scott, Kansas, and laid be- 
side her husband in the Malvern Cemetery. 

Mr. W. S. Grosse buys the Sloneke home and the bus line and becomes 
a citizen of Malvern. Mr. Wm. Knceiand purchases the Gibson property 
for a home. Mr. F. L. Shaffer succeeds A. L. Purdy as assistant at Royce's. 

The interesting and helpful revival meetings of evangelist Smiley and 
his singer Hanson close to night. 

The election for free school books to the pupils carries. 

Mr. Geo. Short buys the Mrs. Pease property and lot and home adjoining 

The Cottage Hotel has opened doors again under the management of 
Mr. J. R. Cully. 

The young life of Frank Talbott goes out today at the hospital at 
Council Bluffs. 

Warden Rimel takes first place in oratorical class in contest at Tabor. 

The Summers Seed House has business with the State, selling to the 
State College their seed oats. 

Charles Knight is a new helper at the Boston Hardware Store. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 125 

The regular spring batch of oflicers fi^r town election, Mr. D. E. Whit- 
field re-elected as Mayor, Frank Higgins on the Council, James J. Wlisou 
Treasurer and James Miller, Assessor. 

The spring sales. Dr. Thos. W. Gidley buys Dr. Humphrey's home and 
veterinary practice. Mrs. Skahill sells her residence to Mr. W. H. Miller, 
and Mr. Kneeland buys Mrs. F. M. Benton's home. 

It is April fool day and the young people plan a gathering for fun and 
frolic in two courses at the homes of Lyle Wilkins and Miss Bessie Smith. 
Those thought worthy of the game that were present, Lawrence Talbott, 
Ed Califf, Arthur Dice, Eugene and Winford Porter, V. G. Williams, Lyle 
Wilkins, Harry Kneeland, Ed Benton and the Misses Harriet and Flora 
Benton, Lottie Deardorff, Bertha Bushnell, Bessie Smith and Ruth Thomp- 
son. 

Little Tommy Cunningham is today laid away in our city of the dead. 

Mr. D. G. Schenck is 87 years old and his boy friends E. R. Graves, Wm. 
Robinson, T. M. Aistrope and Geo. Mandigo meet with him and talk over 
the events of three quarters of a century. 

At the J. T. Ward home, the daughter Adaline is married to Mr. Lester 
E. Barnum of Monmouth, Illinois. 

Miss Anna Nellen is trimmer in the millinery department of The Cook 
Mercantile Company. 

G. T. White sells his residence property to Mr. D. W. Harvey. 

Arva Burrus buys the Landis home on Marion Avenue. Mr. Ed Thomas 
buys a home place of Mrs. R. J. Bently. 

A business sale today, by G. T. White to Mr. Allen Smith and L. R. 
Comer, name of firm Smith & Comer. 

Our teachers in the school for the coming year: Superintendent W. H. 
Manifold, Principal May Miller; Lillian Cunningham, Mamie Forman, Daisy 
Bartley. Mabel Potts, Carrie Wilson, Mrs. Emma Young. Bertha Bushnell, 
Emma Boylan and Rue Otis. 

The grave digger himself. Jack Pierce dies at his out Peaceville way 
home. Some one else will have to dig the one for him. He was a,n early 
settler and an honest toiler. 

Union Church service tonight. May 3, 1908, to welcome the new pastor 
of the Christian Church, Rev. J. E. Stebbins. 

Evelyn Churchill is seven years old today and the home is filled with 
her little friends. 

Mrs. L. Bentley, a well known and respected woman in church and home 
circles in Malvern for many years, dies at her later home at Tampa Florida. 

The fire alarm is sounding out its alarm notes and the fire department 
and citizens are hurrying to the scene of the fire caused from a leaking 
gasoline stove in the Tunison Restaurant on 4th Street. The old frame 
building is now enveloped in tongues of flame and the fire is spreading to 



126 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



the storage building adjoining on the east and to the auto repair shop antl 
implement building on the west. The fire boys are having trouble with 
the hose and intense heat. 20 ft. alley only is seperating the valuable 
property on First Avenue from the flames. The tension on nerve and 
muscle of looker on and worker is intense. Faithful watchers of the old 
bucket brigade are on duty at all points of danger from the flying embers. 
It is now under control, and the crowd is going to their homes for the 
balance of the night in rest and sleep, and settlement of their losses anoth- 
er day. 

New blacksmith firm of F. J. Stebbins & Son. 

Mr. Henry Boyer's new home is now about complete and ready for oc- 
cupancy. 

W. F. Wi'kins and family locate in Malvern and he has a position with 
the Green Bay Lumber Company. 

Dr. D. M. Kline sells out his practice at Carson and locates at Malvern, 
the home town of his boyhood daye. 

Mr. Will Swan and wife are here on a visit with Mrs. Swan's mother, 
Mrs. W. D. Evans under the old home roof for a few days. 

Squire Van Doren ties the bonds of matrimony that unite Mr. Frank 
Berry and Miss Laura Rasmusen in wedded life. 

Fourteen graduates from the high school: Louisa Stone, Hazel Rumsey, 
Ford Wearin, Hazel Thompson, Maude Johnson. Inez Bell, Harry Wilson, 
Velma Johnson, Leona Bell, Kenneth Cook, Mixie Cunningham, Roy Don- 
ner, Ruth Bingaman and Carleton Cook, start out on the journey of life. 

Otis Martin helper at Cadwell and Salyers gives up his position and E. 
F. Bayer takes his place. 

G. T. White and family move to their new home at Delta. Colorado. 

Mr. S. B. Barnes re elected as manager of the telephone business. 

College graduates and students home from their studies, Ruth Young 
from Iowa University, Edna Scott from Knoxville, 111., Claude Kerney, 
Milton Yockey and Olga Otis from Simpson, Blanche Coffman from Par- 
sons and Florence and Cora Durbin from Nebraska University. 

Dr. I. W. Humphrey adds to his work as Veterinary Surgeon, a hard- 
ware business, bought of M. Cunningham. 

Mrs. W. P. Wortman buys the former home of Mrs. Eliza J. Alstrope. 

Miss Hannah Angus purchases the millinery business of Mrs. Maurath. 

Mrs. Mary A. Alexander is surprised on her 71st birthday at her daugh- 
ter's home, Mrs. S. A. Tipton, by a post card shower of 106 cards of DOst 
wishes and friendly greetings. 

O. M. Harris opens up a Real Estate office. 

Mr. Matheny, the agent of the Wabash dies, and the remains are taken 
to his old home at Savannah, Mo. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 127 

Our National holiday opens up today with the first session of the sea- 
sous Chautauqua program with exercises appropriate to the day. The 
closing hours of the day are saddened by the accident to Eddie Califf, who 
loses an eye while helping with the display of fireworks, to give pleasure 
to the waiting throng. 

W. E. VanArsdall sells his barber business to young Will Donner. 

Mr. Jos. Foxworthy, one of the main stays out In Peaceville suburbs, 
buys the home of Mrs. Leah Dice on Douglas Street. 

Mr. and Mrs. Homer Reynolds are testing town life to see how it will 
agree with them. 

A party of our young people who charter the carry all and get away to 
the banks of the Nishna for a picnic spread, Olga Otis, May Churchill, Mary 
Evans, Liva Richards, Rue Otis, Pearl Harris, Claude Kerney, Milton 
Yockey, Abner Clark, Elbert Nickerson, Ralph Robbins and Shelby Wat- 
son. 

Mr. J. D. Robbins buys the home of Mr. Henry Viner on Marion Avenue. 

The 3 4th annual session of The Mills County Fair exhibits are on the 
grounds, and are one of the best. 

To day an accident occurs at the Wabash crossing resulting in the death 
of Mr. Guy Gageby. 

Roy Miller, a Malvern boy who has been railroading for some time is 
checked in as Wabash agent here. 

Clyde Fletcher is a worker with his brother J. A. at Mulhollands grocery 
department. 

Beulah Moses is 6 years old today and a good sized bunch of her young 
friends come to see her. 

Two new men at the Burlington, S. P. Spencer and Guy Cadwell. 

Charles Salyers buys the O. J. Davis home on Douglas Street. 

Miss Coral Sanford puts the style on hats at Miss Jones's millinery Store. 

Mr. Pointer gets away from the Wabash by moving his residence on to 
east Douglas Street. 

Eddie Knight is helping at Royce's while Shaffer is for a while away 
at school. Miss Ruth Bingaman is waiting on customers at the P. O. 
wicket. 

Charley Higgins wants another partner and Miss Clara Hammes and 
he agree to walk the ways of life together. 

Miss Nellie Boyer is assistant at Mrs. Hiett's place of business. 

Old time residents of Malvern return. Mr. and Mrs. O. H. Snyder. Mr. 
Snyder is helping at W^. D. Wilson's drug store and Mrs. Snyder that she 
may give a daughter's care to her mother Mrs. W. D. Evans. 

Our graduates and others for special courses are going to their work: 
Harry Kneeland to Boulder, Colo., Carleton and Kenneth Cook to Nebras- 
ka University, Maude Johnson, Olga Otis, Rheba Whalen, Liva Richards. 



128 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



June Fickel and Falph Wilson to Simpson College, Harry Wilson and John 
Summers to Ames, Perry Hendricks and Walter Scott to Culver, Indiana, 
Frances Lewis to Council Bluffs commercial school, Arthur Dice, Grover 
Rinehart and Mildred Priest to Drake University, Ruth Young to Iowa 
City, Grace Churchill to Wesleyan, University Place, Nebr., Winifred Seeg- 
er to Mt. Carroll, 111., Merle, Blanche and Olive Coffman to Parsons Col- 
lege, Annie Davis to Brownell Hall, H. G. Parker to Evanston. 111.,, Dr. D. 
M. Swain to University of Pennsylvania, Ivy Campbell to Boulder, Colo. 

Last Frldny, September 4th, death came to the poor helpless body of 
Mrs. John Higgins, who was stricken with paralysis at her home in Mal- 
vern, and has been for 6 long years a helpless invalid at St. Bernards 
Council BlulTs. Mr. Higgins, who himself has only lately passed away 
labored faithfully all these years, at his bench in Malvern, that the min- 
istrating care of the hospital might be given to his stricken wife. From 
Saturday evening until Monday morning, with only two unavoidable ex- 
ceptions, he was at her bedside during the six years. An example of true 
fidelity and loyalty. 

The death toll is continued, Mr. James Jones, a country neighbor when 
Milton was platted, a leading farmer, and for some time a citizen of the 
town, a soldier of the Civil War answers to death's roll call today. 

Mrs. Alva Donner comes to her mother's home, Mrs. Bently, for k isit 
and a change and death comes and closes her young life. 

The two firms of Milt Van Doren and the Cook Mercantile Co. trade 
business for land. 

The old soldier boys time comes for their annual eat and they gathcT' 
at the Dice home for the occasion, and if they sleep as well as they ate, 
they will live a while yet. 

T. W. Beckett of Sidney buys the Arva Burrus cottage south of tho 
school building. 

Union service at the M. E. Church to bid farewell to Rev. Bollinger as 
he goes to his new field at Odebolt. 

TheCatholic Church is building a residence for their pastor. Father 
Quinn. 

Rev. W. A. Black is welcomed as successor to W. W. Bollinger. 

The Malvern Electric Light Co. have enlarged their plant and power, 
and soon will have our college town of Tabor, hitched on to the light sys- 
tem. 

Miss Ruth Kneeland and Miss Mae Churchill have opened up a kinder- 
garten school in the basement of the Presbyterian Church, and they have 
a big bunch of little life to entertain and instruct. 

F. D. Kilpatrick's fine new modern home is complete and they are tak- 
ing possession of it. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 1:^1) 

Business interests are taking away Mr. O. J. Davis and family to a new 
home at Council Bluffs. We will greatly miss them from business, home, 
social and church circles in which they have taken an active part for many 
years. 

Master Willie Aistrope has reached the age of 8 years, and his mother 
and young friends help him to make it a great day on the calendar. 

Mr. H. G. Robbins and family from Indiana become residents of Mal- 
vern for business and a home. 

Rev. Hill at the Villisca home performs the ceremony, that unites the 
interests of life of his daughter Ethel Hill and Dr. Thos. Gidley, a Mai- 
vern boy, born and bred. 

Mrs. Almira Durbin departs this life at her home to day. The little 
village of Milton, later Malvern, was her first home place as wife and 
mother, and just out over the border, after honored years of home service, 
she returns and abides under the roof of her later and finer home until 
the summons came. 

Mrs. Ernest C. Bragonier fills the vacancy in the school by the resigna- 
tion of Miss Rue Otii. 

Billy Kryselmier and Mrs. Jennie Wren agree to walk the ways of lit* 
together. 

Mr. W. J. Wilson the horseman, makes Malvern his home and place ot 
business. 

Clayton Roberts celebrates his 13th birthday. At this later writing with 
thousands of others he has donned the uniform as a soldier fcr his country. 

One of our Malvern boys, Carl Poulson is in training for the work as 
agent of the Wabash at Strahan. 

It is sad news to the many friends of Rev. D. C. Morris, to hear of his 
death today, December 6th, at his daughter's home at Wayne, Nebraska 
His home has been Malvern for several years as church pastor and citizen. 

Little Willis Mulholland dies at the parents home. 

Harold Case expert seed corn tester, is assistant at The Summers Seed 
House. 

It is holiday time and the week has been a great home coming time as 
the absent ones return for a visit at the home and the holiday gatherings. 

Mr. Henry Boyer sells out his business at Strahan that ha may be more 
wih his family in his Malvern home. 

Eight years of the 20th century have passed and we come to the new 
year 1909. 

Dr. M. E. Corbin sells his residence and practice to Drs. Elmer and Ray 
Estes. 

The Real Estate firm of Harris and Tyler trade Mr. N. G. Patterson's 
harness business to Mr. Hutton for land, and then Mr. Frank Degenhart, 



130 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

an old acquaintance buys the business and starts again as a business citi- 
zen. 

A quiet wedding at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Smith, January 12. 
their daughter Grace to Henry A. Young. 

Benjamin C. Martin — Uncle Benny — surrenders his 80 year lease of 
life for one on that "beautiful isle of somewhere." 

Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Smith have leased the City Hotel. 

Mr. T. M. Aistrope and daughter Nellie move into their lovely new homo, 
on the street of fine homes, Marion Avenue, and Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Viuer 
into theirs just completed on the same street. 

Mrs. J. D. Reynolds buys the Lee Baldwin place on Prospect Avenue. 

T. F. Emerson succeeds W. G. Gregory at the Green Bay Lumber Co. 

Death comes sudden to an old resident, Henry Slonaker, while at his 
work, and today Mrs. Elizabeth Tyler's life passes out into the great be- 
yond. 

John Uttvitts, a Malvern boy, after nine years of world travel, comes 
again to the old place to see his mother. 

Death comes to the weary body of Mrs. J. F. Dull, for thirty three years 
a home keeper here. 

Wm. Stamper of Clearfield, Iowa, is now landlord of the Cottage. 

Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Barnes and family, break the ties of long time friend- 
ship that bind them to Malvern as they say good bye and go to a new home 
in California. 

John Evans Jr. better known to us as Jack Evans, passes away at his 
home in Illinois, and his body is brought to Emerson for burial. His bus- 
iness interests in connection with Malvern have been such that we count 
him as citizen. 

Mr. Geo. Short and Mrs. Gena Dolan are married today at their own 
home where they expect to reside. 

Mrs. C. J. Hyde buys a home, formerly Mrs. D. M. Whitfield's residence. 

The change from active life to death comes quickly to Mrs. Ella Roberts 
at her mother's home, Mrs. Viner, and to Grandma Moses, in the quiet of 
her home in south town. 

Our school boy Warden Rimel wins in the State declamatory contest at 
Osceola. 

Mr. Geo. Berry and Miss Bertha Dawson go to Council Bluffs and the 
veteran Henry De Long signs their marriage bonds. 

Mr. B. F. Bellwood buys the John Dull property on 2nd Avenue. 

John Greeson, an old resident of the town, and who has been on life's 
trail for 81 years closes the journey today. 

It is spring time and fresh eggs are 19 cents a dozen. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 131 

Our citizen C. E. Califf, with his family are about to move to Tripp, 
South Dakota, for a wider range for his activities. 

A comrade and soldier of the civil war, Salathiel Timmons, passes over 
the dead line today, May 2, 1909. 

Samuel Mudd, a Malvern young man is killed by the accidental dis- 
charge of a gun while at the home of B. L. Garrow at Serena, 111. Burial 
in the Malvern cemetery. 

A Malvern student and school graduate, Ethel Cunningham, graduates 
from the Boston school of Oratory and expression. 

Mr. Sutton, section foreman of the Q buys the former home of Mrs. Win- 
nie Moore. 

It is decoration day, and loving hands are putting flowers on the rest- 
ing places of the dead. 

Death calls J. Degenhart, a business man of Malvern mopt of the time 
for twenty four years. 

We celebrate our national holiday with the opening of the Chautauqua 
session on Saturday, July 3rd. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Foxworthy quietly observe their 65th wedding anni- 
versary at their Malvern home. When we see the courts working over- 
time to release the bonds of marriage, it is encouraging to note the lengthy 
span of this many years and often of the Golden and Silver ones. 

As we make record of this event we think of two other lives who have 
so quietly come with us into our daily life, as neighbors and citizens, that 
no record has been made and we will now weave it in. The coming of Mr. 
and Mrs. Wm. Byers from the farm home where they were before the rail- 
road brought the town and the people of Malvern. At this writing they 
are yet with us and like the ones above have lengthened the span of their 
married life beyond the golden wedding day by many years. 

We cross the border a little way to make record of the death of Mr. Hen- 
ry Donner on June 29th, at his home. The Donner name has been on the 
list of Malvern business men for many years. 

The little tots who have grown to manhood and woman hood here, are 
now taking upon themselves the responsibilities of home makers in other 
places. Miss Etta Retelsdorf in far away Calgary, Canada, is married to 
Mr. J. Malcolm Curl, and Miss Ada Kronsbein to Mr. Lewis Stockho, a St. 
Louis citizen. 

Mr. J. A. Foster trades his livery barn for land. 

The Mulholland home is filled with frollcing young friends when Kath- 
erine Mulholland comes to her 10th birthday. 

Throngs of people are in attendance this week, August, 1909, at the 
annual exhibits of the County Fair on the Fair grounds, only a stone's 
throw from where stood the old elm tree, beneath whose branches was 



132 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 

sheltered the canvas covered emigrant wagon that stopped for the night of 
August 7th, 1869, whose occupants were seeking an Iowa home. 

After the passing of forty years we will again call the roll of those who 
as proprietors and employees, now guide the business interests of the 
town. A few of the early workers who yet have the harness on and some 
of the sons and daughters of the early pioneers with later arrivals are now 
at the helm and making history for future records. 

General Store Merchants: F. E. Mulholland of The MulhoUand Co., H. 
T. Beattie of the Chicago Dry Goods Co. 

Grocers: H. A. Deardorff, Higgins Bros. 

Hardware: Harry Landis, G. C. Boston, I. J. Humphrey. 

Clothing: Wm. Kneeland, Harry and Paul Kneeland as assistants. 

Farm Machinery: Wortz & Bushnell, Clark Bros., and Ash & Long. 

Lumber Yards: Quinn Lumber Co., J. W. McNulty, Manager; Green 
Bay Lumber Co., Mr. Emerson manager. 

Banks: First National Bank, W. L. Summers, President; Jas. J. Wilson, 
Cashier; V. G. Williams, Assistant. Malvern National Bank, C. B. Christy, 
President; Fred Durbin, Cashier; Lottie Deardorff, Assistant. Bank of Mal- 
vern, I. F. Hendricks, President; Will Guyer, Cashier. 

Blacksmiths: Alfred Hall and Brothers, Reed Graves, Swanson & Fos- 
ter, F. J. Stebbins & Son. 

Restaurants and Lunch rooms: Arva Burrus, Newt. Jacobs, W. W. Tuni- 
son, Wm. Bingaman, F. V. Williams, J. S. Sloan. 

Malvern Light and Power Company, L. W. Boehner, President; Harold 
Boehner, Secretary; Joe Deardorff and Forrest Deardorff, engineers; Robt. 
Elliott, electrician. 

Malvern Cold Storage Company, L. W. Boehner, President; Fred Boeh- 
ner, Manager. 

Elevators and Grain buyers: E. L. Donner, G. W. Wyant, P. Kilmartin 

Furniture: Smith & Comer. 

Drug Stores: C. S. Royce, W. D. Wilson. 

Jewelers: Walter L. Smith. C. E. Porter. 

Tailor, J. H. Retelsdorf 

Pool and Billiard Halls: John Perdue, J. L. Buckingham. 

Millinery: Mrs. M. L. Hiett, Miss A. S. Jones; Miss Hannah Angus. 

M. Hammes Shoe Store and Fred Hall repairer. 

J. and Frank Degenhart, Harness Shop. 

Mrs. Hattie Boston, Fancy Goods and China Ware decorator. 

The Malvern Leader, W. P. Wortman, publisher; X. A. Imel, foreman; 
S. L. Hunter, C. E. Huffaker, Mabel Abbott, compositors; Hazel Thomp- 
son, office girl. 

Real Estate Dealers: Cad well & Salyers, C. E. Eacrett, Harris & Tyler. 

Hotels: Cottage. J. R. Cully; Central Hotel, Geo. Smith. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 133 

Painters: Harry Hoover, Geo. E. Pace, Robt. Vandevert, Ob Raines, 
Everett Masters, Cecil Graves sign painter. 

Barbers: G. A. Piatt, W. R. Thomas, Eli Springer, R. L. Rachwitz. 

Summer Seed House, John Summers, Proprietor. 

Auctioneers: J. L. Talbott, Lawrence Talbott. 

J. W. Pointer, Photographer. 

Meat Markets: Geo. Rockafellow, Ike Raines. 

Livery Stable keepers and horse dealers: C. F. Maynes, Lem Bellwood. 
Sam Norton, J. H. Nellen, John Dunn, Frank Elder. 

Draymen: Karl Hertz, W. S. Gross, Harvey Miller. 

Carpenters: D. R. Martin, James Jones, W. P. McCullough, J. W. Bart- 
ley, Robt. Hammond, W. L. Leonard, Geo. Nahley, T. C. Lake, W. F. Don- 
ner, Eli Vickery. 

Plasterers and cement workers: J. H. Smith, M. E. Bell, Geo. Short. 
Frank Petty, Dave McDonald. 

Movers and cement block manufacturers: Frank and Charles Churchill, 
Zopher Perkins, Assistant. Fred Stone, Brick and tile manufacturer. 

Auto Garage, J. D. Robbins and Roy Robbins, H. G. Robbins, Chas Sal- 
yers. Machinists. 

Doctors: S. A. Campbell, J. R. Scott, I. U. Parsons, W. A Rush, D. M. 
Kline. 

Dentists: J. O. Laird, W. M. Hiett. 

Veterinary Surgeons: Thos. W. Gidley, I. J. Humphrey. 

Lawyers: A. E. Cook, D. E. Whitfield, G. C. Rinehart. 

Telephone office force: S. B. Barnes, Manager; Mrs. W. L. Leonard, 
Hazel Whitmer, Rena Robbins, Fannie Clark. 

Railroad agents and office force: W. S. Bell, R. L. Hale, S. P. Spencer, 
Guy Cadwell of the Q. Roy Miller, Agent Wabash. Section Foreman Q, 
Ben Sutton, Section Foreman Wabash Joe Poulson. 

Stock Buyers: T. J. Moses, C. F. Maynes. 

School instructors: W. H. Manifold, May Miller, Lillian Cunningham, 
Mamie Forman, Daisy Bartley, Mabel Potts, Carrie Wilson, Mrs. Emma 
Young, Bertha Bushnell, Rue Otis, Emma Boylan, W. H. Miller, Janitor. 

Post office: Channing C. Baird, Post Master; Harry Baird, Assistant; 
Ruth Bingaman, Clerk. R. F. D. Carriers; J. C. Maguire, Bert Crumb, W. 
R. Emerick. J. R. McClymond, Railway Postal Clerk. 

Church Pastors: Rev. J. E. Wilkins, Baptist Church; Rev. R. Bruce 
West, Presbyterian Church; Rev. Mr. Black, Methodist Church; Rev. J. 
E. Stebbins, Christian Church; Rev. Father W. J. Quinn, Catholic church. 

Department managers. Clerks, book keepers, assistants and general 
helpers: Willard Ruth, J. A. Fletcher, Mrs. Nichols, Mrs. Eva Wainwright, 



134 BRIEF HISTORY OF MALVERN 



Jess Bell, Tacie Poulson, Stella Poulson, Clyde VanHorn, S. A. Tipton, N. 
D. Smith, Guy Harold, Earl Nickerson, O. H. Snyder, Wiley Dunn, Baton 
Tenuant, Harry Wilson, Allen Anderson, Ernest Anderson, Clyde Fletcher, 
F. L. Shaffer, H. E. Boyer, Nellie Boyer, W. F. Wilkins. 

City Directory: Mayor, D. E. Whitfield; Councilmen, Frank Higgins, 
Frank Churchill, F. E. Mulhollund, Andrew Swanson and E. W. Bushneil; 
Treasurer, Jas. J. Wilson; Assessor, James Miller; W. H. Guyer, Recorder. 

With these notes we close the records of forty years of the narrative of 
events of what folks were doing yesterday. It is a pleasure to the writer 
to day to sit at the window and look out at the moving picture of life upon 
the street and we have also enjoyed these pictures of review, as memory 
has recalled them to mind, in the coming and going of the preachers, 
teachers, doctors, lawyers, tradesmen, mechanics, home keepers and help- 
ers, that have had a part in the program, and with whom we have been as- 
sociated these forty years of history traveling. 



ERRATA 

Page \}, the union meeting to organize. Sunday School is reported to have 
been held in the hall over The Chronicle office. It was held instead over 
the McCrary store. 

Page 10, first line should read "Abbott, Knisely & Co." 

The death of C. A. Donner, reported on Page 37, should have date of 
November 3, 1889. 

Page 41, C. D. Paddock should read C. H. Paddock. 

Page 46, Joseph Jacqua is "Joseph Jacquat." 

Page 50, G. K. Vauhn is "G. K. Vaughn." 

Page 51, Onist Larison is "Quist Larison." 

Page 85, repetition of names "Gidley, Evans and Perdue." 

There are a few names misspelled on the various pages, which cannot 
now be corrected. 

Also, a few names are repeated, as on Page 90 "Olive Hyde Hyde" and 
on Page 25 "Frank Hobbs, Hobbs new candy store." The last item should 
read "Frank Hobbs, new Candy stores," etc. 

On pages 50, 76, the words "Continued next week" appear, having been 
overlooked when using the material as it came from the news columns. 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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